Figure 2. Model for compartment-specific roles for STING signaling in the GBM TME.

In multiple types of cancer, the importance of STING activation has been established in both neoplastic cells and macrophages/APCs. STING activation stimulates production of type I IFNs and proinflammatory cytokines, leading to T cell– and NK cell–mediated killing of neoplastic cells. In contrast, in the GBM TME, STING is expressed in immune cells and stromal cells but not neoplastic cells. Dashed arrows indicate absence of STING pathway–mediated outcome in GBM relative to other cancers. APC, antigen-presenting cell; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; CDN, cyclic dinucleotide.