CRISPR variant selectively targets tumor DNA

Key Points:

• Scientists from Wageningen University & Research and Van Andel Institute have developed a CRISPR variant, ThermoCas9, that can distinguish and selectively cut tumor DNA based on differences in DNA methylation, a chemical modification altered in cancer cells.
• ThermoCas9 recognizes methylation patterns unique to cancer cells by targeting a specific PAM sequence containing methyl groups, allowing precise discrimination between healthy and tumor DNA.
• This study, published in Nature, is the first to use methylation as a targeting mechanism in CRISPR-based cancer cell editing, demonstrating potential for highly specific cancer therapies.
• While the research shows selective DNA cleavage in tumor cells, further work is needed to confirm that this approach can effectively kill cancer cells and be developed into clinical treatments.
• The discovery highlights the importance of fundamental biochemical and structural research in advancing precision gene editing tools for future cancer therapies.