Advances in genome editing: the technology of choice for precise and efficient β-thalassemia treatment

Gene Ther. 2021 Feb;28(1-2):6-15. doi: 10.1038/s41434-020-0153-9. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Abstract

Beta (β)-thalassemia is one of the most significant hemoglobinopathy worldwide. The high prevalence of the β-thalassemia carriers aggravates the disease burden for patients and national economies in the developing world. The survival of β-thalassemia patients solely relies on repeated transfusions, which eventually results into multi-organ damage. The fetal γ-globin genes are ordinarily silenced at birth and replaced by the adult β-globin genes. However, mutations that cause lifelong persistence of fetal γ-globin, ameliorate the debilitating effects of β-globin mutations. Therefore, therapeutically reactivating the fetal γ-globin gene is a prime focus of researchers. CRISPR/Cas9 is the most common approach to correct disease causative mutations or to enhance or disrupt the expression of proteins to mitigate the effects of the disease. CRISPR/cas9 and prime gene editing to correct mutations in hematopoietic stem cells of β-thalassemia patients has been considered a novel therapeutic approach for effective hemoglobin production. However, genome-editing technologies, along with all advantages, have shown some disadvantages due to either random insertions or deletions at the target site of edition or non-specific targeting in genome. Therefore, the focus of this review is to compare pros and cons of these editing technologies and to elaborate the retrospective scope of gene therapy for β-thalassemia patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems
  • Gene Editing*
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Technology
  • beta-Globins / genetics
  • beta-Thalassemia* / genetics
  • beta-Thalassemia* / therapy

Substances

  • beta-Globins