CRISPR-Based Therapy to Reduce MUC16 Expression in PDAC Patients

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the lowest survival rates among all cancer types, with an overall five-year relative survival rate of less than 5%.One of the causes stems from overexpression of the MUC16 gene, observed in about 20% of PDAC tumors.MUC16 is a large glycoprotein that forms a protective barrier around various epithelial cells and regulates processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis resistance.When overexpressed, it enables cancer cells to evade immune detection, promoting metastasis.Some of the current treatment methods for PDAC include combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.However, MUC16 overexpression causes resistance to chemotherapy and other treatment options, highlighting a need for alternative therapeutic strategies.Among various emerging approaches, CRISPR has gained attention as a novel gene editing tool that enables the precise modifications of DNA and holds potential to drastically improve cancer treatment.In this review, we discuss the use of CRISPR as a treatment strategy to reduce the expression of MUC16 in PDAC patients, exploring its potential to overcome therapy resistance and suppress metastasis.