CRISPR-Cas9: a promising genetic engineering approach in cancer research

Abstract

Bacteria and archaea possess adaptive immunity against foreign genetic materials through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) systems. The discovery of this intriguing bacterial system heralded a revolutionary change in the field of medical science. The CRISPR and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) based molecular mechanism has been applied to genome editing. This CRISPR-Cas9 technique is now able to mediate precise genetic corrections or disruptions in in vitro and in vivo environments. The accuracy and versatility of CRISPR-Cas have been capitalized upon in biological and medical research and bring new hope to cancer research. Cancer involves complex alterations and multiple mutations, translocations and chromosomal losses and gains. The ability to identify and correct such mutations is an important goal in cancer treatment. In the context of this complex cancer genomic landscape, there is a need for a simple and flexible genetic tool that can easily identify functional cancer driver genes within a comparatively short time. The CRISPR-Cas system shows promising potential for modeling, repairing and correcting genetic events in different types of cancer. This article reviews the concept of CRISPR-Cas, its application and related advantages in oncology.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas9; cancer; genetics; immunity; medical research.

Figure 1.

Graphical representation of the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Step 1. Adaptation – DNA from the invading virus is processed into short segments. These segments are inserted into the CRISPR sequence to function as new spacers. Step 2. Production of CRISPR RNA – the DNA undergoes a transcription process that copies DNA into RNA. The single-stranded RNA is cut into short pieces called CRISPR RNAs. Step 3. Targeting – CRISPR RNAs are programmed to destroy the viral material. Here, the ‘RNA sequences’ are copied from the viral DNA sequences.

Figure 2.

Graphical representation of a nanoscale delivery vehicle for CRISPR-Cas9 (not to scale).

Figure 3.

A schematic overview of cancer modeling using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique.

Figure 4.

Cells are collected from the patient, edited by CRISPR-Cas9, and returned to the patient.