Unlocking the promise of systemic STING agonist for cancer immunotherapy

Xiaoqi Sun; Xingwu Zhou; Yu Leo Lei; James J Moon

doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.03.047

Unlocking the promise of systemic STING agonist for cancer immunotherapy

J Control Release. 2023 May:357:417-421. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.03.047. Epub 2023 Apr 18.

Authors

Xiaoqi Sun¹, Xingwu Zhou², Yu Leo Lei³, James J Moon⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: sunxqi@umich.edu.
² Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
³ Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
⁴ Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: moonjj@umich.edu.

Abstract

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway is the key innate immune pathway involving in cancer immunity. Emerging new molecules and drug delivery systems have made systemic STING agonist immunotherapy possible and demonstrated efficient tumor eradication in preclinical studies. In this perspective, we will discuss the potential mechanisms of STING agonism as a multifaceted anti-cancer therapy and the pharmacological challenges associated with systemic delivery of STING agonists on the level of organs, tissues, cells, and intracellular compartments. We will present and discuss drug delivery strategies to address these challenges. New advances in the field can unlock the promise of systemic STING agonist as effective and safe cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords: Cancer immunotherapy; STING agonist; Systemic delivery.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Humans
Immunotherapy
Membrane Proteins* / agonists
Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Signal Transduction

Substances

Membrane Proteins
STING1 protein, human

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding