CRISPR/Cas9: A Brief Introduction and Applications in Cancer

CRISPR/Cas9 is a relatively new technology for gene knockout developed from prokaryotic immune mechanisms against exogenous DNA. The technology has been extensively used in cancer research and therapy development. CRISPR/Cas9 as a relatively in-mature gene editing tool with certain limitations, has shown great potential in applications in a variety of fields. In this review, a basic and brief introduction of the technology and its application in cancer research and therapy development will be given. This includes the principles and development of the technology, genetic screens using CRISPR/Cas9 finding new therapy targets, its use in gene therapies, its role in creating modified cells immunotherapies, some works that have been done in these fields and the future possibilities of the technology. This review aims at providing a basic and rudimentary understanding of CRISPR/Cas9 as well as its applications in cancer. And perhaps give some insight for future studies regarding the technology and its applications in cancer.