Researchers unveil CRISPR method that selectively destroys cancer cells with common tumor-suppressor mutations

Researchers from IGI, UC Berkeley, UCSF, Gladstone, and Utah institutions reported a CRISPR-based technique called chromatin shredding that kills cells carrying a mutation found in nearly half of cancers. The approach may target hard-to-treat “undruggable” cancers including ovarian, pancreatic, and non-small cell lung cancer, and can potentially be adapted to new mutations.

The work points to a shift from inhibiting cancer-driving genes toward directly exploiting cancer-specific mutations in tumor suppressors. If it proves safe and effective beyond early research, the platform could broaden precision oncology to cancers that have resisted conventional drug development.

CRISPR tech selectively shreds cancer cells, including "undruggable" cancers