[ad_1]
(MENAFN – NewsBytes)
CRISPR gene editing used in cancer patients: Details here
April 17, 2019
For years, scientists have been working on CRISPR, a powerful technology that could alter DNA and help cure diseases such as cancer or hepatitis B.
While many have expressed concern about the misuse of this technology, a group of researchers has taken a major step in the category of gene editing – the human trials.
They used CRISPR on cancer patients.
Here are the details.
CRISPR used as a treatment for cancer patients
Treatment
NPR claimed that a CRISPR-based treatment, approved for cancer, had started at the University of Pennsylvania, United States.
As part of its efforts, the University has used gene modification technology on two cancer patients.
They had both received the standard cancer treatment but then opted for CRISPR when the method did not work.
What's going on in this treatment
Treatment
CRISPR is about making slight changes to DNA, which researchers at the University of Pennsylvania do by removing the immune system cells from cancer patients, modifying them in a lab environment, and then making them reinserting into the body.
They hope that the infusion of modified immune system cells into their bodies would counteract the impact of cancer cells, destroy them and heal the disease.
However, how did the treatment work?
Result
The treatment looks promising, but so far, it is not known if it worked well or how are the patients going.
"The results of this research study will be communicated at an appropriate time via a medical meeting presentation or a peer-reviewed publication," said a university spokesman at NPR.
To note, one of the patients was suffering from multiple myeloma, while the other was suffering from sarcoma.
In addition, the study was approved to treat 18 patients
Made
It should also be noted that the study has been approved to treat up to 18 cancer patients, which means that it may take a while before getting results. final treatment.
The tests on the man are just beginning
Development, risks
The trial marks a big step forward towards what could be an ideal solution to prevent / cure not only cancer, but also other critical diseases as well as genetic defects.
Other tests are also scheduled in Europe, Canada and the United States, including one in which scientists would try to treat a form of hereditary blindness – and this also without removing the cells from the body.
Concerns about side effects, abuse also remain
Made
That said, it is imperative to note that the use of CRISPR also poses problems, such as the potential side effects of gene editing or possible misuse of this technology, such as the Chinese scientist who published genes in human embryos.
MENAFN1704201901650000ID1098401429
[ad_2]
Source link