The role of the CRISPR-Cas system in cancer drug development: Mechanisms of action and therapy

Biotechnol J. 2022 Jul;17(7):e2100468. doi: 10.1002/biot.202100468. Epub 2022 Feb 20.

Abstract

Background: The recent emergence of gene editing using Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated system (Cas) tools and advances in genomics and proteomics has revolutionized drug discovery and personalized medicine.

Purpose and scope: The CRISPR-Cas system has enabled gene and cell-based therapies, screening for novel drug targets, a new generation of disease models, elucidation of drug resistance mechanisms, and drug efficacy testing. Here, we summarized recent investigations and strategies involved in cancer-related drug discovery using the CRISPR-Cas system.

Conclusion: CRISPR-Cas-mediated gene editing has shown great potential in the development of next generation drugs for treatment of Mendelian disorders and various cancer types. In this review, we focused on the impact of the CRISPR-Cas system in drug discovery and its application to biomarker identification and validation, high-end target genes, and breakthrough anticancer cell therapies. We also highlighted the role of CRISPR-Cas in precision disease modeling and functional drug screening.

Keywords: CRISPR-Cas; cancer; drug discovery; gene editing; immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Drug Discovery
  • Gene Editing
  • Genomics
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents