Figure 1.

Overview of the connections between telomere maintenance and the cGAS-STING pathway in the nucleus and mitochondria of cancer cells. Cancer cells overcome the proliferation limit from telomere shortening by telomere maintenance mechanisms. Molecules involved in telomere maintenance also have noncanonical functions in the mitochondria. The mitochondrial functions of telomere-related molecules protect cancer cells from various stresses. The long-lasting cancer cells change the surrounding environment pro-tumorigenic by the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway in normal cells surrounding cancer cells, as well as in cancer cells.