CRISPR gene editing technique will make cancer cells no longer immortal

Can be used to prevent the progression of cancer, according to new research by scientists from the University of California, USA.

Using CRISPR, they discovered this tool has the ability to limit a protein that allows cancer cells to replicate continuously. This protein is present in more than 50 types of cancer and is dubbed their " immortal switch" .

Once the switch is turned on, it will divide indefinitely, resulting in a rapid growth of the tumor, relapse after surgical radiation therapy, and metastasis throughout the body, making us unable to do anything.

The GABP protein is the trigger for the endless division of cancer cells.

The new study was conducted by surgical professor and neurosurgeon specialist Joseph Costello at the University of California. In it, he and his colleagues used the CRISPR gene editing technique to remove GABP protein from Glioblastoma brain cancer cells .

The GABP protein is the trigger for the endless division of cancer cells. Glioblastoma, or, is an extremely dangerous and malignant form of brain cancer.

However, after the GABP protein is removed from Glioblastoma cells, in the laboratory environment and in the rat's body, they reduce growth and behave like normal cells. This means that the number of division of cancer cells is limited, when they divide enough times, they will naturally die.

"This really appeals to us , " Professor Costello said in a press release. The two ideas he came up with after the discovery were a parallel development of a drug targeting GABP in cancer cells and a CRISPR therapy to modify human genes so that we don't produce dangerous proteins. This is another.

"You can't create a drug to target a trigger gene, but if we can determine how GABP binds to the mutant-initiating gene in these cancers, we can get one. The new drug goal has significant effects , " Professor Costello said.

We can develop a drug that targets GABP in cancer cells and a CRISPR therapy to modify human genes so that we don't produce this dangerous protein.

Although the power of CRISPR may cause many people to worry that it will be abused, this genetic modification technology is still thought to create revolutionary changes in health and agriculture. It was well received by investors like Bill Gates and Sean Parker, while pharmaceutical companies were also eager to pour millions of dollars into research.

In a previous interview with Fast Company, CRISPR technology commentator Jennifer Doudna discussed the possibilities - both good and bad - that this genetic modification technology offers to people.

Cancer treatment is one of those possibilities, in addition CRISPR can also be used to cross-breed pigs with human genes, helping to cultivate organs for transplantation inside their bodies.

"CRISPR gives us the power to change completely, one-way and permanently, the biosphere we live in by rewriting the molecules that make up life (DNA) in any way we want." , Doudna said.

"It's a frightening moment in life science, but we can't let ourselves get caught in. It's important to remember, while CRISPR has great potential and undeniable to improve the world. Ours, the tinkering into the genetic background of the ecosystem can also leave unintended consequences. "

New research on CRISPR and Glioblastoma cancer is published in Cancer Cell magazine.