Gene editing is the next level in the treatment of HIV. It is a method of altering, adding, or removing DNA in the genome.
Discovered more than forty years ago, HIV is one of the deadliest viruses known to man. HIV is the leading cause of AIDS, which significantly brings the life expectancy of those affected by it.
Scientists and researchers have made several breakthroughs in the field of HIV research: Genome editing is one of them. Medical practitioners and genome editing specialists use the technique to make specific changes in the DNA of an organism or cell. The technique can be used to alter, add, or remove DNA in the genome.
Human gene editing can be used on germline cells and somatic cells. Human gene editing for germline cells is effective in both reproduction and non-reproduction types.
One of the most powerful genome editing is CRISPR-Cas gene editing. This type of genome editing targets DNA in eukaryotic cells. CRISPR-Cas is being heralded as an effective form of HIV treatment which has the potential to cure the disease.
An article published on MDPI mentions the following:
“CRISPR-Cas gene editing techniques have been widely used to target DNA in eukaryotic cells and represent a promising strategy against HIV infections and for achieving an HIV cure. Current and novel insights into HIV infection biology may aid in improving such CRISPR-Cas-based gene therapy strategies.”
Combined approaches will restrict the effects of the host and boost antiviral effects in the infected individual. Furthermore, it will also target viral genes.
The MDPI article mentions:
“CRISPR-Cas gene editing strategies will further assist in the selection of suitable systems and approaches that can be tested in appropriate preclinical and clinical trials. Overall, these studies will hopefully bring us closer to achieving an effective antiviral therapy against HIV that could help millions of people worldwide currently suffering from the disease.”
While scientists are certain that there will be several benefits of using CRISPR-Cas, potential challenges to therapy still need to be studied. However, any off-targets of CRIPR-Cas can be predicted and avoided.
The MDPI article reads:
“Potential off-target effects of Cas nucleases in the host genome complicate the development of safe gene therapies. We should be aware that there is a risk of gene editing outside the target locus. Nonetheless, these off-target effects can possibly be predicted and limited through several strategies, such as the modification of crRNAs or Cas proteins to boost the specificity of the editing event.”
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