Current Applications and Future Perspective of CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing in Cancer Therapy

Chenxi Xu

doi:10.62051/ijphmr.v5n1.06

Authors

Chenxi Xu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62051/ijphmr.v5n1.06

Keywords:

CRISPR/Cas9, Gene editing, Cancer treatment, Gene therapy, Immunotherapy

Abstract

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) is one of the most popular gene-editing tools derived from bacterial adaptive immune systems in recent years. Cancer is a complex disease that is related with the accumulation of genetic mutation; it can be caused by physical, chemical, and biological factors and is almost impossible to cure. Due to enabling precise genomic modifications, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing has revolutionized cancer therapy. Recent studies emphasize its multi-functional role in both gene correction and immune regulation, positioning it as a versatile tool against diverse malignancies. Through comprehensive literature research, analyzing, and discussion, this study explores the mechanisms of utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to treat cancer, including traditional application that focuses on the intensity of gene expression and next generation technology that shifts the research subjects to primers and basepairs, the delivery ways, and some immunology-combined therapies. The study also points out the challenges that still need to be solved in the future. Considering safety, we should think about off-target and live-system-caused gene integration. And for validity, we should figure out what kind of cells can be edited, how efficient is the editing process, and how to deliver the system to the target in human’s body. Through numerous propelling clinic trials, we can see that this newly-discovered gene editing method is bringing a brand new revolution in cancer treatment. CRISPR/Cas9 has the transformative potential to bridge the gap between the laboratory research and clinical application, and open a new era of cancer biology.

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