Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology to Target TP53 Related Cancers

Tumor protein 53 (TP53) is a tumor repressor gene that is highly responsible for activating cell cycle arrest in the event of DNA damage, stopping the replication of damaged cells, which may cause cancer. However, when mutated, TP53 is an oncogene, with mutated variants of it being seen in over half of all cancers diagnosed including the aforementioned four. With groundbreaking CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology coming to the forefront of biotechnological research, the applications to cancer research and gene therapy have been increasing. This review explores CRISPR-Cas9 and its uses for treatment and medication investigation in various cancers, including lung, prostate, breast, and bone cancer through the lens of the TP53 gene. Due to TP53s commonality in cancer, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology can be used to its maximum potential in this context as a treatment or investigative tool, with it yielding positive results in reverting tumor growth, as well as great versatility when it comes to screening related genes that inhibit or encourage tumor growth which can be targeted by drugs, or even the screening of the drugs effectiveness themselves. Thus, CRISPR-Cas9s applications in TP53-related cancer treatment and chemotherapeutic fields prove this technology to be successful.