Characterizing genes associated with cancer using the CRISPR/Cas9 system: A systematic review of genes and methodological approaches

Gene. 2022 Jul 30:833:146595. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146595. Epub 2022 May 20.

Abstract

The CRISPR/Cas9 system enables a versatile set of genomes editing and genetic-based disease modeling tools due to its high specificity, efficiency, and accessible design and implementation. In cancer, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used to characterize genes and explore different mechanisms implicated in tumorigenesis. Different experimental strategies have been proposed in recent years, showing dependency on various intrinsic factors such as cancer type, gene function, mutation type, and technical approaches such as cell line, Cas9 expression, and transfection options. However, the successful methodological approaches, genes, and other experimental factors have not been analyzed. We, therefore, initially considered more than 1,300 research articles related to CRISPR/Cas9 in cancer to finally examine more than 400 full-text research publications. We summarize findings regarding target genes, RNA guide designs, cloning, Cas9 delivery systems, cell enrichment, and experimental validations. This analysis provides valuable information and guidance for future cancer gene validation experiments.

Keywords: CRISPR/Cas9; Cancer; Delivery; In Vivo Models; Mutations; Validation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Gene Editing
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Oncogenes
  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics

Substances

  • RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems