New Delhi, May 3 || The CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technique has shown promise in fighting advanced colorectal cancer, according to results of the first-in-human clinical trial published in The Lancet Oncology.
The trial shows encouraging signs of the safety and potential effectiveness of the treatment against metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
In the study, researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing to modify a type of immune cell called tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).
They deactivated a gene called CISH and found that modified TILs were better able to recognise and attack cancer cells.
"Despite many advances in understanding the genomic drivers and other factors causing cancer, with few exceptions, stage IV colorectal cancer remains a largely incurable disease," said Emil Lou, a gastrointestinal oncologist with the University of Minnesota Medical School.
"We believe that CISH is a key factor preventing T cells from recognising and eliminating tumours," added Branden Moriarity, Associate Professor at the varsity.
Moriarity explained that as CISH acts inside cells, it couldn't be blocked using traditional methods. So the team used CRISPR-based genetic engineering to block it.
The treatment was tested in 12 highly metastatic, end-stage patients and found to be generally safe, with no serious side effects from the gene editing.
Several patients in the trial saw the growth of their cancer halt, and one patient had a complete response. In this patient, the metastatic tumour disappeared over several months and did not return for over two years.