Targeting the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in breast cancer

Ma Ying-Rui; Bai Bu-Fan; Liu Deng; Shi Rong; Zhou Qian-Mei

doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1199152

Targeting the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in breast cancer

Front Pharmacol. 2023 Jun 28:14:1199152. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1199152. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Ma Ying-Rui¹, Bai Bu-Fan¹, Liu Deng¹, Shi Rong², Zhou Qian-Mei^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
² Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
³ Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Breast cancer has a high occurrence rate globally and its treatment has demonstrated clinical efficacy with the use of systemic chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade. Insufficient cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration and the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells within tumours are the primary factors responsible for the inadequate clinical effectiveness of breast cancer treatment. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) represents a pivotal protein in the innate immune response. Upon activation, STING triggers the activation and enhancement of innate and adaptive immune functions, resulting in therapeutic benefits for malignant tumours. The STING signalling pathway in breast cancer is influenced by various factors such as deoxyribonucleic acid damage response, tumour immune microenvironment, and mitochondrial function. The use of STING agonists is gaining momentum in breast cancer research. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase-STING pathway, its agonists, and the latest findings related to their application in breast cancer.

Keywords: DNA damage response; STING; STING agonists; mitochondrial function; tumour immune microenvironment.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This work was financially supported by Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine High-level Talents Leading Program Project, Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality Project (22ZR1446900 and 21ZR1447800) and Peak Disciplines (Type IV) of Institutions of Higher Learning in Shanghai.