In 2025, Yang et al. (53) reported that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can induce adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) degradation via activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, leading to the accumulation of Z-nucleic acids and subsequent ZBP1-dependent PANoptosis in bystander cells, thereby sustaining inflammation. This evidence concerns the gene ZBP1 and COVID-19.