IFNA1 and cancer: Specifically, the tumorigenesis process is usually accompanied by DNA damage and leakage of damaged genomic or mitochondrial DNA in cancer cells or uptake of damaged cancer cells by dendritic cells (DCs).205 These increased levels of cytosolic DNA activate cGAS signaling to promote IFN production in cancer cells to prime tumor-specific T-cell infiltrations, and in DCs to lead to DC maturation.206 Subsequently, mature dendritic cells present tumor-associated antigens to activate CD8 + T cells in order to eradicate cancer cells through the immune system.