Tumor-infiltrating DCs can sense tumor-derived DNA via cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) that, upon activation, catalyzes the synthesis of a noncanonical cyclic dinucleotide 2’3’- cGAMP, which binds to the adaptor STING, resulting in the recruitment and activation of the kinase TBK1 and transcription factor IRF-3; these events are essential to generate the robust type I IFN-mediated response needed for both spontaneous and treatment-induced antitumor immunity. This evidence concerns the gene TBK1 and neoplasm.