STING1 and cancer: It is well known that cGAS–STING-mediated DNA sensing in cancer cells or phagocytes (e.g., DCs, macrophages) is crucial for detecting cytosolic DNA, inducing a type I-IFN response for augmenting anti-tumor immunity, as well as host defense against pathogens.777 It has been reported that once activated by ligands, STING aggregates in a perinuclear region and activates the TBK1 kinase, which in turn phosphorylates IRF3, directly launching the transcription of type I IFN genes.