CRISPR gene mutation could kill cancer cells

MASSACHUSETTS: Researchers have now, for the first time in history, used the gene-editing characteristic of CRISPR to kill cancer. Participants included 16 patients with different cancers such as breast, colon, and lung cancers.

The gene editing technology of CRISPR allows researchers to substitute a gene in a patient’s immune cells and redirect them to attack the cancer cells in the body.

This human clinical trial is published in the Nature journal. Dr Stefanie Mandl, one of the authors of the paper said “We can let the patient’s own immune system tell us how to fight cancer,” she said. “It is possible to make a completely bespoke therapy for every patient with cancer.”

Researchers of the study took blood samples and biopsies of the 16 participants of the study. DNA sequencing was done an identification of 75 different cancer-specific immune receptors was done.

After the one-month-long treatment ended, the results were analysed. Around 11 participants so no change in the progression of cancer whereas 5 of the participants exhibited signs that cancer did not progress.

While this research is time-consuming and expensive, further researchers on gene mutations and engineering can produce valuable insights into the cancer treatment modalities.