CGAS and autoimmune disease: While this cGAS–STING pathway is essential for antitumor immunity and antiviral defense [5, 6], its aberrant activation by self-DNA can trigger excessive interferon production, potentially leading to autoimmune disorders such as Aicardi–Goutieres syndrome (AGS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [7, 8], highlighting the critical importance of precise regulation of cGAS activity.