STING Signaling and Skin Cancers

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is currently recognized as a driver for anti-tumor immunity against various malignancies and is expected to enhance the anti-tumor effects. In this review, we summarized recent knowledges gained from epigenetics-mediated skin cancer development and discussed the clinical application of STING agonists in the treatment of skin cancer. ABSTRACT: Recent developments in immunotherapy against malignancies overcome the disadvantages of traditional systemic treatments; however, this immune checkpoint treatment is not perfect and cannot obtain a satisfactory clinical outcome in all cases. Therefore, an additional therapeutic option for malignancy is needed in oncology. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) has recently been highlighted as a strong type I interferon driver and shows anti-tumor immunity against various malignancies. STING-targeted anti-tumor immunotherapy is expected to enhance the anti-tumor effects and clinical outcomes of immunotherapy against malignancies. In this review, we focus on recent advancements in the knowledge gained from research on STING signaling in skin cancers. In addition to the limitations of STING-targeted immunotherapy, we also discuss the clinical application of STING agonists in the treatment of skin cancer.