Scientists discover immune pathway: Prize for groundbreaking research!

Scientists discover immune pathway: Prize for groundbreaking research!

On March 14, 2025, the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize was awarded to scientists Andrea Ablasser, Glen Barber and Zhijian J. Chen. The prize is endowed with 120,000 euros and honors the discovery of a crucial signaling pathway that protects the immune system from infections and cancer. This research is of great importance because the cGAS-STING pathway is known to play a key role in recognizing DNA molecules in the cytoplasm and is crucial for the body's immune response. Research shows that activation of this pathway leads to the production of type I interferons and other inflammatory factors, which is critical for fighting pathogens and tumors. This discovery could advance the development of new drugs that target this signaling pathway to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus. A corresponding antagonist will soon enter Phase II clinical testing, while nearly 20 STING activators are currently in early phases of clinical development, potentially enhancing the effects of cancer immunotherapies.

Tobias Ackels was honored with the young talent award for his research on smell perception in mammals. In his study, he discovered that mice are able to smell faster than they breathe, extracting new information from scent clouds up to 40 times per second. This research could not only expand our understanding of olfactory function, but also offer a new approach to diagnosing dementia, as olfactory disorders could serve as a biomarker. In addition, a better understanding of smell perception could hold a key to how the brain works.

An in-depth look at cGAS-STING research

The basic mechanisms of cGAS-STING signaling have already been described by several scientists such as Sun et al. in 2013 and Wu et al. described in the same year. They identified how cGAS functions as a cytosolic DNA sensor and how cGAMP acts as an endogenous secondary messenger in the natural immune system. In recent years, the role of STING as a central protein in the defense against external pathogen invasions has also been further researched. In particular, overexpression of STING can lead to severe infectious disorders and autoimmune diseases, highlighting the importance of balanced regulation of this signaling pathway. Research into the cGAS-STING signaling pathway could open up new treatment options for inflammation-related diseases by providing a better understanding of the activation mechanisms.

In recent years, far-reaching therapeutic approaches have also been developed. Targeted modulation of cGAS and STING could be helpful not only in the treatment of cancer but also in various autoimmune diseases. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are increasingly focusing on the development of cGAS and STING antagonists that could find application in everyday clinical practice. A recently identified cGAS antagonist that targets lupus erythematosus demonstrates the potential of such developments.

These promising research projects represent a significant advance in cancer and inflammatory therapy and offer hope for new treatment options for patients. The combination of basic science and clinical research will therefore benefit greatly from the knowledge surrounding the cGAS-STING signaling pathways.

The knowledge gained about cGAS and STING in recent years shows how important cellular immunity is in detecting and combating diseases. The constant advancement of research makes it possible to better understand the body's immune response and to develop targeted therapeutic approaches that not only treat existing diseases, but could also promote preventive measures against future diseases. Puk reports that... PubMed points out that... Nature highlights that...