Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

New CRISPR Variant Targets Tumor DNA, Sparing Healthy Cells

4/16/2026

28 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Researchers from Wageningen University and the Van Andel Institute developed ThermoCas9, a CRISPR variant that targets tumor DNA by recognizing altered DNA methylation patterns.
The method shows promise for precise cancer therapies, especially breast cancer, where ESR1 and GATA3 are often deregulated.
ThermoCas9 edited these genes in cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, achieving up to 78% editing for GATA3.

1 of 1

Story summary

Researchers from Wageningen University and the Van Andel Institute developed ThermoCas9, a CRISPR variant that targets tumor DNA by recognizing altered DNA methylation patterns.
The method shows promise for precise cancer therapies, especially breast cancer, where ESR1 and GATA3 are often deregulated.
ThermoCas9 edited these genes in cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, achieving up to 78% editing for GATA3.