Genome editing: An essential technology for cancer treatment

When genetic engineering was first developed in the 1970s, it opened new possibilities for genome editing. The life sciences have reaped numerous gains from gene-editing technology. The CRISPR/Cas9 system makes adding or removing sequence-specific amounts of DNA from the genome with ease achievable. CRISPR/Cas9 targeting efficiency improves, and concerted efforts reduce off-target effects. Cancer biology and oncology utilise CRISPR/Cas9 applications to do robust site-specific gene editing, making the technology valuable for research and therapeutic use. CRISPR/Cas9 is quickly evolving into several variations and uses. Helped by CRISPR-based techniques, scientists have developed a simple and inexpensive tool for developing powerful cancer therapies. CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies in oncology, gene editing for personalised medicine and overcoming resistance to cancer therapies, targeted therapies, optimisation of gene-editing technology and future cancer therapeutics are discussed in this review.