Research progress of cGAS-STING signaling pathway modulators in immunotherapy

Upon monitoring cytoplasmic aberrant double-stranded DNA, cGAS-STING signaling pathway induces the expression of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which activates the host immune response and enhances anti-tumor immune response and resistance to pathogen infection. However, sustained activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway drives diseases such as autoimmune diseases, aging-associated inflammation, and neurodegenerative pathologies. Herein, we describe the mechanism by which cGAS-STING signaling pathway participates in regulating the development of various immune-related diseases, with a particular review of the research and development progress of STING agonists, cGAS inhibitors, and STING inhibitors, aiming to provide some theoretical reference for the future development of cGAS-STING modulators.