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Crispr Wins Key Approval to Fight Cancer in Human Trials (bloomberg.com)

Posted by msmash on from the moving-forward dept.

Tom Randall, reporting for Bloomberg Technology:An experimental cancer treatment that alters the DNA of patients has won a key approval to proceed with its first human tests using the controversial gene-altering tool known as Crispr. Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania want to edit the immune systems of 18 patients to target cancer cells more effectively. The experiment, backed by internet billionaire Sean Parker, won approval from the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC), a federal ethics panel set up at the National Institutes of Health 40 years ago to review controversial experiments that change the human genome. The trial still needs final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The experiment targets difficult-to-treat cases of multiple myeloma, sarcoma, and melanoma. The scientists will remove blood samples from patients and alter their T-cells -- central to human immune response -- to more effectively target and pursue cancer. The T cells will then be infused back into patients and studied for the safety and effectiveness of the technique.STAT News has an article in which it discusses the probable consequences of altering the DNA of a cancer patient.

3 of 71 comments (clear)

  1. Testing in Racoon City? by Burdell · · Score: 1, Interesting

    This sounds like where the T-virus starts...

  2. Virus by SumDog · · Score: 3, Interesting

    One thing I have to wonder about: If the mechanism involves using a virus, couldn't there be massive unintended consequences if the virus transfers to another host? Even if a virus isn't very communicable, and can't survive outside of a host, what if the patient transmits it sexually after treatment?

    1. Re:Virus by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Interesting

      If the mechanism involves using a virus, couldn't there be massive unintended consequences if the virus transfers to another host?

      Viruses already exist, any many of them do things much more nasty than fixing T-cells. CRISPR is programmed to target a specific sequence of DNA, usually around 40 base pairs. Since each pair is two bits, the chance of this sequence just randomly occurring is around 2^80.

      Even if a virus isn't very communicable, and can't survive outside of a host, what if the patient transmits it sexually after treatment?

      If someone has sex with their identical twin, that twin's cancer may also be cured. Otherwise, nothing will likely happen.
      Far more dangerous DNA modifications are happening naturally on a nearby toilet seat.