مقالات پذیرفته شده در هفتمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
CRISPR, an Innovative Method in Gene Therapy for Cancer
CRISPR, an Innovative Method in Gene Therapy for Cancer
Tahereh Rezazadeh,1,*Fatemeh Tanhaye Kalate Sabz,2Mona Fani,3Mona Adel,4Sara Nemati,5
1. Department of Biology, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2. Department of Anatomical Sciences and Pathology, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran 3. Department of Pathobiology & Laboratory Sciences, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran 4. Department of Biology, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 5. Department of Biology, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: Cancer is a complex disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that leads to tumor formation. Traditional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation often exhibit limitations in terms of specificity, efficacy, and adverse effects. Gene therapy in cancer treatment is one of the critical issues that has been assessed. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR), a revolutionary gene-editing technology, offers unprecedented opportunities for precise and efficient genome modifications. This abstract encompasses an analysis of the current literature on the application of CRISPR in cancer gene therapy.
Methods: The terms “CRISPR and cancer treatment” were searched in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, the selected articles were critically evaluated.
Results: The application of CRISPR in gene therapy for cancer has demonstrated significant potential across multiple domains. First, in the context of cancer-associated genes, CRISPR can effectively target and deactivate oncogenes, which promote cancer growth, as well as tumor suppressor genes, which typically prevent cancer development. By inactivating oncogenes, CRISPR can reduce abnormal signaling pathways that drive uncontrolled cell growth and division in cancer cells. Conversely, by restoring the function of mutated or silenced tumor suppressor genes, CRISPR can reinstate the intrinsic ability of the cell to regulate cell growth and prevent tumor formation. Second, by utilizing CRISPR-mediated gene correction, it is feasible to rectify specific genetic mutations that underlie the abnormal behavior of cancer cells. This correction has the potential to restore normal cellular function and halt the cancerous phenotype. Third, CRISPR has been employed to enhance the immune response against cancer by modifying cancer cells to express antigens that are recognized by the immune system. CRISPR is used to introduce genes encoding specific antigens into cancer cells, including tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) and tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). TSAs are exclusive to cancer cells and ideal targets for the immune system. Moreover, CRISPR offers the potential in overcoming treatment resistance by selectively targeting and disrupting resistance mechanisms in cancer cells. These innovative approaches have shown promising outcomes in preclinical models, offering new avenues for cancer treatment.
Conclusion: CRISPR-based gene therapy with the ability to enhance the immune recognition of cancer cells and circumvent treatment resistance highlights the versatility of CRISPR in combating cancer. However, further research are required to address the safety, delivery challenges and long-term efficacy of this therapy. Despite the current limitations, the application of CRISPR in cancer gene therapy represents a groundbreaking approach that may shape the future of cancer treatments.