Definition

An agonist of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) protein, with potential immunoactivating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, STING agonist BMS-986301 targets and binds to STING and activates the STING pathway, which promotes IKK-related kinase TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) signaling and activates nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) in immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This leads to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferons (IFNs). Specifically, expression of IFN-beta (IFNb) enhances the cross-presentation of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) by dendritic cells (DCs) to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). This results in a CTL-mediated immune response against tumor cells and causes tumor cell lysis. STING, a transmembrane protein that activates immune cells in the TME, plays a key role in the activation of the innate immune system.