Prognosis
Gene-Editing Startups Downplay Potential of Cancer Side Effect
- Two studies hint that the method can boost cancer-prone cells
- Shares of Crispr, Editas and Intellia close down sharply
Source: Science Photo Library via Getty Images
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Medical researchers say two new studies suggest that a cutting-edge therapy to repair defective genes could promote cancer-causing mutations in cells, a possible safety concern that some of the hottest companies in biotechnology may have to account for as they start human trials.
The laboratory studies were published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine. They suggest that, under the right conditions, the gene-editing method called CRISPR-Cas9 might promote mutations in a gene that’s also defective in many malignant cells.