CRISPR-Cas genome editing tool: a narrow lane of cancer therapeutics with potential blockades

Abstract

In recent, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated nucleases (Cas) system is emerging as a versatile genome editing tool with applications in basic science, preclinical and translational biology. This CRISPR-Cas genome editing tool is known as a precise and effective option to correct a part of the genome that may have implications in many human diseases including cancer associated genes such as oncogenes and onco-suppressors. Besides robust potential to edit target genes, CRISPR-Cas editing technology displays cellular alterations in the form of activation of DNA double strand break repair system and bringing genomic instability. As a consequence of repair of DNA double strand breaks, highly mitotically active cells may face hyper-DNA repair systems and there may be sometimes a situation leading to error prone mutations and unwanted genomic integrity. Additionally, the use of CRISPR-Cas editing technology in cancer therapy is limited in the backdrop of genotype and epigenomic heterogeneity in tumors. Therefore, a precaution should be considered to employ CRISPR-Cas technology in cancer therapy in view of tumor heterogeneity and environmental pressure.

Preface to the series on oral pre-cancer and cancer

“…The recent innovations including targeted therapy have aimed to reduce the morbidity associated with the conventional therapeutic regimens. Among the recent cancer therapeutic innovations, much importance is being given to gene-editing tools such as the CRISPR-Cas gene ( 10 ). Although at a relatively incipient stage, there is an increasing number of studies exploring the potential application of CRISPR-Cas gene tools in cancer, including oral cancer.…”

“…The series on oral pre-cancer and cancer included articles analyzing the etiopathogenesis, the tumor micro-environment, diagnostic markers, and therapeutic innovations for oral cancer ( 1 - 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 ). The natural history of enigmatic entities such as oral lichenoid dysplasia has been explored in-depth ( 9 ).…”