Open Access Review

CRISPR-Cas9 Unleashed: Gene-Slicing Adventures in the Cancer Battlefield

by Shivakumar Sonnaila a  and  Shilpi Agrawal b,* orcid
a
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Fulbright College of Art and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA
b
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
CI  2024, 33; 2(2), 33; https://doi.org/10.58567/ci02020008
Received: 30 November 2023 / Accepted: 20 December 2023 / Published Online: 2 January 2024

Abstract

Cancer, a global health menace, continues to pose significant challenges in terms of incidence and mortality, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Despite existing treatments, the limitations persist, prompting a quest for novel approaches. The emergence of immunotherapy marked a transformative era in solid tumor treatments, yet its efficacy is constrained by adverse effects. Concurrently, the integration of advanced technologies into cancer treatment explores the vast potential residing at the molecular level through gene analysis and manipulation. This review articulates the role of state-of-the-art genome editing technology, notably clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR-Cas9), in overcoming the constraints of immunotherapy for cancers. Unveiling the intricacies of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing, the review introduces the formidable CRISPR toolbox. A spotlight is cast on the transformative impact of CRISPR-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) on cancer immunotherapy, encompassing knockout and knock-in strategies. The utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in pre-clinical cancer research has demonstrated notable success; however, its transition to the clinical setting remains in the nascent stages of development. This review aims to elucidate the fundamental aspects of CRISPR technology and offer a comprehensive survey of its existing applications while outlining its prospective role in the realm of cancer therapies. Through an exploration of CRISPR's mechanisms, current applications, and anticipated future potentials, this review provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of CRISPR-based cancer treatment strategies.


Copyright: © 2024 by Sonnaila and Agrawal. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.