CRISPR/Cas9 potential applications in cancer immunotherapy by gene-editing and immune checkpoint signaling pathway inhibition

The mechanisms that drive immune feedback about cancer have been thoroughly explored over the years, particularly with a focus on utilizing the therapeutic potential of the immune system. Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment strategy for various types of cancer. Methods such as CAR T-cell therapy, adoptive T-cell therapy, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and cancer vaccines have gained significant attention. Nonetheless, the full potential of cancer immunotherapy has yet to be realized. While it has remarkable attributes, cancer immunotherapies also face challenges, including limited ability to effectively target cancer antigens and the variability in patient responses. One aspect of genome-based immunotherapy that has evolved due to technological advancements is the development of engineered T cells. CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a powerful and versatile genome-editing tool capable of targeting nearly any genomic site due to its exceptional precision. This review centers on recent progress in immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer, particularly highlighting the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology as a promising weapon in the fight against cancer.