The potential therapeutic applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in colorectal cancer

The application of the CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9) system in tumor studies has led to the discovery of several new treatment strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC), including the recognition of novel target genes, the construction of animal mass models, and the identification of genes related to chemotherapy resistance. CRISPR/Cas9 can be applied to genome therapy for CRC, particularly regarding molecular-targeted medicines and suppressors. This review summarizes some aspects of using CRISPR/Cas9 in treating CRC. Further in-depth and systematic research is required to fully realize the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 in CRC treatment and integrate it into clinical practice

Genetic determinants of response to statins in cardiovascular diseases

Despite extensive efforts to identify patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) who could most benefit from the treatment approach, patients vary in their benefit from therapy and propensity for adverse drug events. Genetic variability in individual responses to drugs (pharmacogenetics) is considered an essential determinant in responding to a drug. Thus, understanding these pharmacogenomic relationships has led to a substantial focus on mechanisms of disease and drug response. In turn, understanding the genomic and molecular bases of variables that might be involved in drug response is the main step in personalized medicine. There is a growing body of data evaluating drug-gene interactions in recent years, some of which have led to FDA recommendations and detection of markers to predict drug responses (e.g., genetic variant in VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genes for prediction of drug response in warfarin treatment). Also, statins are widely prescribed drugs for the prevention of CVD. Atorvastatin, fluvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, and lovastatin are the most common statins used to manage dyslipidemia. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the pharmacogenetics of statins, which are being used to treat cardiovascular diseases.</p

The potential therapeutic applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in colorectal cancer

The application of the CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (Cas9) system in tumor studies has led to the discovery of several new treatment strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC), including the recognition of novel target genes, the construction of animal mass models, and the identification of genes related to chemotherapy resistance. CRISPR/Cas9 can be applied to genome therapy for CRC, particularly regarding molecular-targeted medicines and suppressors. This review summarizes some aspects of using CRISPR/Cas9 in treating CRC. Further in-depth and systematic research is required to fully realize the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 in CRC treatment and integrate it into clinical practice

Association of a genetic variant in the adenosine triphosphate transmembrane glycoprotein and risk of pancreatic cancer

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive neoplasms with a poor prognosis. The association of multidrug resistance genes, MDR1/ABCB1, with the poor outcomes of several malignancies has been reported, which can be explained at least in part by a reduction in the transportation of drugs and their metabolites. Here, we explore the association of a genetic variant, rs2032582, in the ABCB1 gene with the risk of developing PC.Methods: Seventy-five patients and 188 controls were recruited. DNA was extracted followed by genotyping using Taqman® real-time polymerase chain reaction-based method. Kaplan-Meier and Cox models analysis showed that there is no significant association between genetic models and overall survival (OS) (P=0.32).Results: The frequencies of AA, AC, and CC genotypes of the variant were 29.7%, 42.2%, and 28.1%, respectively in the PC group, while the frequencies of the genotypes were 32.4%, 54.8%, and 12.8%, respectively, in the control group. Individuals with the AA genotype had an increased risk of developing PC {e.g., dominant genetic model [CC versus AA + AC: OS ± standard deviation (SD): 28±5.8 versus 50.8±6.7 months] with odds ratio (OR) of 2.67 (CI =1.33–5.34, P=0.005)}.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated the association of the ABCB1 variant with an increased risk of PC. Further studies in a larger sample size and multi-center setting are suggested to explore the prognostic value of emerging marker PC.</p