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.