Milestones of CRISPR/Cas9 system, promises and roadblocks

Abstract

In this issue of Cancer Treatment and Research Communications, Sarkar et al. describe CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing from its discovery to current views. Originally a bacterial adaptive immune system, CRISPR/Cas9 was adapted to mammalian cells as a tool to perform a wide range of actions given its capability of accurately targeting specific DNA loci. While the CRISPR/Cas9 system is readily used in laboratories as a research tool for a few years now, the first clinical trials have recently started utilizing this system in translational medicine. Although several obstacles have been resolved related to the usage of CRISPR/Cas9 on mammalian cells, the scientific community is facing new challenges with this technology.