cGAS/STING in skin melanoma: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutics

Abstract Melanoma, recognized as the most aggressive type of skin cancer, has experienced a notable increase in cases, especially within populations with fair skin. This highly aggressive cancer is largely driven by UV radiation exposure, resulting in the uncontrolled growth and malignant transforma...

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Main Authors: Jafaridarabjerdi Mahin, Xuezhu Xu, Ling Li, Cong Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Cell Communication and Signaling
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-024-01860-y
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author Jafaridarabjerdi Mahin
Xuezhu Xu
Ling Li
Cong Zhang
author_facet Jafaridarabjerdi Mahin
Xuezhu Xu
Ling Li
Cong Zhang
author_sort Jafaridarabjerdi Mahin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Melanoma, recognized as the most aggressive type of skin cancer, has experienced a notable increase in cases, especially within populations with fair skin. This highly aggressive cancer is largely driven by UV radiation exposure, resulting in the uncontrolled growth and malignant transformation of melanocytes. The cGAS-STING pathway, an immune signaling mechanism responsible for detecting double-stranded DNA in the cytoplasm, is essential for mediating the immune response against melanoma. This pathway serves a dual purpose: it enhances antitumor immunity by activating immune cells, but it can also promote tumor growth when chronically activated by creating an immunosuppressive environment. This review comprehensively examines the multifaceted implication of the cGAS-STING pathway in melanoma pathogenesis and treatment. We explore its molecular mechanisms, including epigenetic regulation, interaction with signaling pathways such as AR signaling, and modulation by various cellular effectors like TG2 and activin-A. The therapeutic potential of modulating the cGAS-STING pathway is highlighted, with promising results from STING agonists, combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and novel drug delivery systems, including nanoparticles and synthetic drugs. Our findings underscore the importance of the cGAS-STING pathway in melanoma, presenting it as a critical target for enhancing anti-tumor immunity. By leveraging this pathway, future therapeutic strategies can potentially convert ‘cold’ tumors into ‘hot’ tumors, making them more susceptible to immune responses.
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spelling doaj-art-46900ec2acf440e9b48b4561bec08aa22025-08-20T02:33:31ZengBMCCell Communication and Signaling1478-811X2024-11-0122114610.1186/s12964-024-01860-ycGAS/STING in skin melanoma: from molecular mechanisms to therapeuticsJafaridarabjerdi Mahin0Xuezhu Xu1Ling Li2Cong Zhang3Department of Dermatology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDepartment of Food Nutrition and Safety, Dalian Medical UniversityAbstract Melanoma, recognized as the most aggressive type of skin cancer, has experienced a notable increase in cases, especially within populations with fair skin. This highly aggressive cancer is largely driven by UV radiation exposure, resulting in the uncontrolled growth and malignant transformation of melanocytes. The cGAS-STING pathway, an immune signaling mechanism responsible for detecting double-stranded DNA in the cytoplasm, is essential for mediating the immune response against melanoma. This pathway serves a dual purpose: it enhances antitumor immunity by activating immune cells, but it can also promote tumor growth when chronically activated by creating an immunosuppressive environment. This review comprehensively examines the multifaceted implication of the cGAS-STING pathway in melanoma pathogenesis and treatment. We explore its molecular mechanisms, including epigenetic regulation, interaction with signaling pathways such as AR signaling, and modulation by various cellular effectors like TG2 and activin-A. The therapeutic potential of modulating the cGAS-STING pathway is highlighted, with promising results from STING agonists, combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and novel drug delivery systems, including nanoparticles and synthetic drugs. Our findings underscore the importance of the cGAS-STING pathway in melanoma, presenting it as a critical target for enhancing anti-tumor immunity. By leveraging this pathway, future therapeutic strategies can potentially convert ‘cold’ tumors into ‘hot’ tumors, making them more susceptible to immune responses.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-024-01860-ySkin cancerImmunotherapyNanomedicineOncolytic virusesNano vaccinescGAS
spellingShingle Jafaridarabjerdi Mahin
Xuezhu Xu
Ling Li
Cong Zhang
cGAS/STING in skin melanoma: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutics
Cell Communication and Signaling
Skin cancer
Immunotherapy
Nanomedicine
Oncolytic viruses
Nano vaccines
cGAS
title cGAS/STING in skin melanoma: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutics
title_full cGAS/STING in skin melanoma: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutics
title_fullStr cGAS/STING in skin melanoma: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutics
title_full_unstemmed cGAS/STING in skin melanoma: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutics
title_short cGAS/STING in skin melanoma: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutics
title_sort cgas sting in skin melanoma from molecular mechanisms to therapeutics
topic Skin cancer
Immunotherapy
Nanomedicine
Oncolytic viruses
Nano vaccines
cGAS
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-024-01860-y
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AT xuezhuxu cgasstinginskinmelanomafrommolecularmechanismstotherapeutics
AT lingli cgasstinginskinmelanomafrommolecularmechanismstotherapeutics
AT congzhang cgasstinginskinmelanomafrommolecularmechanismstotherapeutics