Targeting the cGAS-STING Pathway: An Emerging Therapeutic Strategy for Digestive Diseases

The increasing global burden of digestive diseases, coupled with the complexity of their pathogenesis, underscores the urgent need for in-depth research into precise organ-specific therapies. The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)–stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, a crucial innate immune signaling axis, has garnered considerable attention for its roles in immune defense, inflammation regulation, tumorigenesis, and tissue homeostasis. In this review, we outline common digestive diseases linked to the cGAS–STING pathway, elucidate its mechanistic contributions to these conditions, and provide a detailed analysis of how targeting this signaling axis may influence disease progression. We hope this review will offer a theoretical foundation for developing novel therapeutics and innovative treatment strategies for digestive diseases, thereby contributing to improved clinical outcomes.