Key points from article :
A lipid nanoparticle-based delivery system ( CRISPR-LNPs) can target & kill cancers by genetic manipulation.
Carries messenger encoding for CRISPR enzyme that act as molecular scissors & cut the cells' DNA.
"First study... to prove that CRISPR can be used to treat cancer in a living animal," - Prof. Peer, TAU.
"..This is not chemotherapy. There are no side effects, and a cancer cell treated in this way will never become active again."
The technology was tested to treat deadly cancers- glioblastoma and metastatic ovarian cancer.
Treatment improved the overall survival rate by about 30% and 80% respectively in mice.
However, clinical implementation is still in its infancy.
"An innovative treatment for aggressive cancers that have no effective treatments today" - Prof. Peer.
Can be used in other types of cancer, rare genetic diseases and chronic viral diseases such as AIDS.
Research by Tel Aviv University published in Science Advances.
