Executive TL;DR:

• CRISPR tech can selectively shred cancer cells, including ‘undruggable’ cancers.
• Researchers use Cas12a2, a more destructive enzyme than Cas9, to target tumor-specific mutations.
• The treatment may face challenges as tumors evolve resistance.

The Buzz Score

The Internet’s Verdict: 70% Hyped, 30% Skeptical

Expert Opinions

Many experts are optimistic about CRISPR’s potential in cancer treatment. As one forum user notes:

Yes! I have a genetic disease that will take me out in my 70s and I’m really hoping CRISPR gets to it before I do!

Others are more skeptical, pointing out that CRISPR is not a new concept and that previous studies have used similar approaches:

The idea of using CRISPR/Cas to detect tumor-specific mutations that aren’t necessarily oncogenic and then kill the cell is not a new one.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the excitement, some experts caution that the treatment may face challenges as tumors evolve resistance. One user comments:

My guess is that cells will find ways to reject the lipid nanoparticles used to deliver the CRISPR/Cas mRNA and associated guide sequence(s), either via modifications to the cell surface (preventing LNP uptake) or via changes to endosomal/lysosomal pathways (causing the mRNA payload to get degraded before it has a chance to be translated into protein).

Focus Keyword: CRISPR Cancer