CRISPR enzyme shreds DNA to target cancer cells in mice
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Researchers repurposed a bacterial self-destruct mechanism into a CRISPR enzyme that selectively shreds DNA in diseased cells. In mouse models of cancer, the therapy eliminated tumour cells without harming healthy tissue. The approach marks a shift from gene editing to direct cell elimination.
The Mechanism
The enzyme, derived from a bacterial defense system, targets specific DNA sequences in cancer cells. Once bound, it shreds the genome, triggering cell death. In mouse models, the treatment eliminated tumors in 80% of subjects within 30 days, according to the study published in Nature on July 14.
Selectivity and Safety
The enzyme was programmed to recognize mutations common in multiple cancer types. Healthy cells lacking the target sequence remained intact. No off-target effects were detected in liver, kidney, or heart tissues of treated mice, the researchers reported.
What's Next
The team plans to test the therapy in larger animals within 12 months. It remains unclear whether the enzyme can be delivered effectively to solid tumors in humans without triggering immune responses.
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CRISPR enzyme shreds DNA to target cancer cells in mice
