Advances in Scientific Technology with Gene Editing Tools and its Relation to Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Recently, new advances in gene editing technology might make it possible for a new treatment of cancer to emerge. CRISPR, the gene editing technology in question, has been used in studies to see if it could possibly be a new way to treat some types of cancer. The CRISPR-CAS9 system is a bacterial cell mechanism used to fight against viruses that are attacking the bacterial cells. The CRISPR-CAS9 system has been modified to where it can make modifications to human DNA. These modifications are made by CRISPR guiding the enzyme Cas9 to the gene that is to be modified, that is, the gene that is to be cut out and replaced. If scientists were able to utilize this gene-editing tool, many different diseases could be treated, and possibly eradicated. Research on how to use this gene-editing technology in humans has recently been carried out, in order to see if cancer, and other diseases, can be treated using this technique. Currently, CRISPR technology has been successful in that it has suppressed HIV cell replication, and has destroyed some antibiotic resistant bacteria. However, delivery strategies of the CRISPR-CAS9 system are still being researched and scientists also do not know the long-term effects of this type of gene editing.