Advancements of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in non-small cell lung cancer research: Applications and current developments

Abstract. Lung cancer is the most aggressive and prevalent malignancies worldwide, contributing significantly to global health challenges with over 1.8 million new cases reported annually. Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of these cases and is characterized by a poor 5-year survival rate of only 10%. Traditional therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, face limitations such as drug resistance and systemic toxicity. The advent of Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems (CRISPR/Cas) technology has transformed the landscape of gene editing, enabling precise targeting of genes involved in NSCLC pathogenesis. This review explores the therapeutic potential of this technology in NSCLC, focusing on key genes such as AIFM1, ROCK2, TSPAN4, and the PD-1 receptor protein, which play crucial roles in tumor progression and immune evasion. By elucidating the mechanisms through which the genes above help with lung cancer, we highlight how CRISPR/Cas9-mediated interventions can pave the way for innovative and effective treatment strategies. Additionally, we address the current challenges and prospects of implementing CRISPR/Cas9 in clinical settings to enhance the efficacy and specificity of lung cancer therapies, in order to improve patient outcomes and reduce the global burden of this devastating disease.