Targeting the cGAS‐STING Pathway Inhibits Peripheral T‐cell Lymphoma Progression and Enhances the Chemotherapeutic Efficacy

Abstract

Abstract Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a highly heterogeneous group of mature T‐cell malignancies. The efficacy of current first‐line treatment is dismal, and novel agents are urgently needed to improve patient outcomes. A close association between the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS‐STING) pathway and tumor promotion exists, revealing prospective therapeutic targets. This study, investigates the role of the cGAS‐STING pathway and its underlying mechanisms in PTCL progression. Single‐cell RNA sequencing showes that the cGAS‐STING pathway is highly expressed and closely associated with PTCL proliferation. cGAS inhibition suppresses tumor growth and impaires DNA damage repair. Moreover, Cdc2‐like kinase 1 (CLK1) is critical for residual tumor cell survival after treatment with cGAS inhibitors, and CLK1 suppression enhances sensitivity to cGAS inhibitors. Single‐cell dynamic transcriptomic analysis indicates reduced proliferation‐associated nascent RNAs as the underlying mechanism. In first‐line therapy, chemotherapy‐triggered DNA damage activates the cGAS‐STING pathway, and cGAS inhibitors can synergize with chemotherapeutic agents to kill tumors. The cGAS‐STING pathway is oncogenic in PTCL, whereas targeting cGAS suppresses tumor growth, and CLK1 may be a sensitivity indicator for cGAS inhibitors. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing therapeutic strategies for PTCL, especially in patients with relapsed/refractory disease.

Keywords

• cGAS‐STING pathways
• CLK1
• DNA damage repairs
• peripheral T‐cell lymphoma
• single‐cell RNA sequencing