STING then recruits TANK-binding kinase I (TBK1) which phosphorylates STING and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) which leads to the expression of type I IFNs to induce pro-inflammatory mediators and priming of CD8+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) (74, 77). Here, IRF3 is linked to neoplasm.