Ethical Considerations in Therapeutic Clinical Trials Involving Novel Human Germline-Editing Technology

Next-generation CRISPR technology for genome, epigenome and mitochondrial editing

The application of rapidly growing CRISPR toolboxes and methods has great potential to transform biomedical research. Here, we provide a snapshot of up-to-date CRISPR toolboxes, then critically discuss the promises and hurdles associated with CRISPR-based nuclear genome editing, epigenome editing, and mitochondrial editing. The technical challenges and key solutions to realize epigenome editing in vivo, in vivo base editing and prime editing, mitochondrial editing in complex tissues and animals, and CRISPR-associated transposases and integrases in targeted genomic integration of very large DNA payloads are discussed. Lastly, we discuss the latest situation of the CRISPR/Cas9 clinical trials and provide perspectives on CRISPR-based gene therapy. Apart from technical shortcomings, ethical and societal considerations for CRISPR applications in human therapeutics and research are extensively highlighted.

Initial heritable genome editing: mapping a responsible pathway from basic research to the clinic

Following the Second Summit on Human Gene Editing in Hong Kong in 2018, where the birth of two girls with germline genome editing was revealed, the need for a responsible pathway to the clinical application of human germline genome editing has been repeatedly emphasised. This paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on research ethics issues in germline genome editing by exploring key issues related to the initial applications of CRISPR in reproductive medicine. Following an overview of the current discussion on bringing germline genome editing into clinical practice, we outline the specific challenges associated with such interventions and the features that distinguish them from conventional clinical testing of new medical treatments. We then review proposed ethical requirements for initial heritable genome editing, such as the absence of reasonable alternatives, the existence of sufficient and reliable preclinical data, appropriate informed consent, requirements related to safety, and long-term follow-up.

Nanoscale delivery of phytochemicals targeting CRISPR/Cas9 for cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

With growing global prevalence, cancer is a major cause of disease-related deaths. The understanding of the fundamental tumor pathology has contributed to the development of agents targeting oncogenic signaling pathways. Although these agents have increased survival for defined cancers, the therapeutic choices are still limited due to the development of drug resistance. CRISPR/Cas9 is a powerful new technology in cancer therapy by facilitating the identification of novel treatment targets and development of cell-based treatment strategies.

PURPOSE

We focused on applications of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in cancer therapy and discuss nanoscale delivery of cytotoxic phytochemical targeting the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

RESULTS

Genome engineering has been significantly accelerated by the advancement of the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Phytochemicals play a key role in treating cancer by targeting various mechanisms and pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of CRISPR/Cas9 for nanoscale delivery of phytochemicals opens new avenues in cancer therapy. One of the main obstacles in the clinical application of CRISPR/Cas9 is safe and efficient delivery. As viral delivery methods have certain drawbacks, there is an urgent need to develop non-viral delivery systems for therapeutic applications.

Gene Therapy as an Emerging Therapeutic Approach to Breast Cancer: New Developments and Challenges

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, which is the consequence of several genetic and environmental factors. Also, it is one of the most common causes of cancer death and second leading cancer among women all around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to develop novel therapeutic approaches useful for the successful treatment of breast cancer. As conventional treatments had limited success, alternative approaches for the treatment of breast cancer have been applied in recent years. Hence, the molecular basis of breast cancer has provided the opportunity of using genetic materials for therapeutic uses. In this regard, gene therapy as one of the potentially efficient and beneficial treatments among various techniques became a popular treatment for different cancers, especially breast cancer. Accordingly, there are plenty of targets available for gene therapy of breast cancer. Gene therapy strategies have the potential to correct molecular defects that contributed to the cancer progression. These techniques should selectively target tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Moreover, data of clinical trials in gene therapy for breast cancer indicated that this approach has little toxicity compared to other therapeutic approaches. In this study, different aspects of breast neoplasm, gene therapy techniques, challenges, and recent developments will be mentioned.