Genome editing: An essential technology for cancer treatment
Muhammad Tufail
Abstract
When genetic engineering was first developed in the 1970s, it opened new possibilities for genome editing. The life sciences have reaped numerous gains from gene-editing technology. The CRISPR/Cas9 system makes adding or removing sequence-specific amounts of DNA from the genome with ease achievable. CRISPR/Cas9 targeting efficiency improves, and concerted efforts reduce off-target effects. Cancer biology and oncology utilise CRISPR/Cas9 applications to do robust site-specific gene editing, making the technology valuable for research and therapeutic use. CRISPR/Cas9 is quickly evolving into several variations and uses. Helped by CRISPR-based techniques, scientists have developed a simple and inexpensive tool for developing powerful cancer therapies. CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies in oncology, gene editing for personalised medicine and overcoming resistance to cancer therapies, targeted therapies, optimisation of gene-editing technology and future cancer therapeutics are discussed in this review.