Groundbreaking research highlights novel immune and inflammatory pathways impacting disease progression. A new study shows the STING protein triggers ZBP1-dependent necroptosis independently of TNFR1, elucidating inflammatory skin disease mechanisms. Additional insights reveal how chronic infections and inflammation from Toxoplasma gondii contribute to epigenetic DNA damage and cognitive decline. In cancer, chronic nerve injury fosters immunotherapy resistance through sustained inflammation. Discoveries in adipocyte and chemokine crosstalk in triple-negative breast cancer further demarcate tumor microenvironmental influences aggravating disease progression.