The emerging Nexus of STING signaling and ferroptosis: from mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities.

Authors

Xixi Lin, Yihong Wen, Jiaheng Lang, Ziyu Zhu, Zijie Guo, Linbo Wang, Feiyang Ji, Lili Zhi, Jichun Zhou

Published in

Cell death discovery. Jul 07, 2026. Epub Jul 07, 2026.

Abstract

The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway, a cornerstone of innate immunity, and ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, have traditionally been studied as distinct entities. However, emerging evidence reveals a complex and bidirectional crosstalk between these two pathways with profound implications for disease pathogenesis and therapy. This review systematically synthesizes the current understanding of the multifaceted interactions between the cGAS-STING pathway and ferroptosis. We detail the mechanisms by which STING signaling promotes ferroptosis through iron metabolism (e.g., NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy), lipid peroxidation (e.g., via ACSL4 interaction), and GPX4 autophagic degradation. Conversely, we explore how ferroptosis, through mitochondrial DNA release and lipid peroxidation products, can activate the cGAS-STING pathway, amplifying immune and inflammatory responses. A novel, non-canonical role for mitochondrially-localized cGAS in suppressing ferroptosis independent of STING is also highlighted, adding a layer of complexity to this interplay. We consolidate evidence of this crosstalk across a spectrum of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and ischemia-reperfusion injuries. In cancer, leveraging this interplay-particularly by inducing ferroptosis to activate STING-dependent anti-tumor immunity-presents promising therapeutic strategies. In contrast, for inflammatory and organ injuries, concurrent inhibition of both pathways may mitigate damage. This review underscores the STING-ferroptosis axis as a critical regulatory node and a promising frontier for developing novel therapeutic interventions across diverse human diseases.

PMID:
42409781
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Jul 2026.

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