In a huge world first, scientists have discovered a ‘cure’ for cervical cancer in mice.
Researchers from Griffith University used gene-editing technology called CRISPR to cure the disease - and believe the same technology could be used to treat cervical cancer in humans.
Professor Nigel McMillan, who led the study, said: “This is the first cure for any cancer using this technology.”
In the study, the team used CRISPR-Cas9 to target and treat cervical cancer tumours via injection, using ‘stealth’ nanoparticles.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful gene-editing tool that can be used to cut away precise elements of DNA.
Professor McMillan explained: “The nanoparticles search out the cancer-causing gene in cancer cells and ‘edit it’ by introducing some extra DNA that causes the gene to be misread and stop being made.
“This is like adding a few extra letters into a word, so the spell checker doesn’t recognise it ‘anyTTmore’. Because the cancer must have this gene to produce, once edited the cancer dies.
“In our study, the treated mice have 100% survival and no tumours.
"The mice showed no other clinical signs such as inflammation from treatment but there may be other gene changes we haven’t measured yet.
“Other cancers can be treated once we know the right genes.”
While the findings are undoubtedly exciting, it’s important to note that the technology has only been tested on mice so far, and it remains unclear if it will have the same effect in humans.
Despite this, the researchers say that they’re working towards human trials of the gene therapy ‘in the next five years.’
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