review · Infection and Drug Resistance
CRISPR-Cas systems offer a promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance by directly targeting and eliminating antibiotic-resistant genes. A notable example is their demonstrated capacity to target colistin resistance genes located on MCR-1 plasmids, alongside comparable actions against other resistance determinants. Despite this potential, several hurdles constrain their performance. The effectiveness of these systems varies due to natural differences in CRISPR loci across diverse bacterial species. In addition, significant operational challenges must be overcome before these tools can be safely and accurately deployed in clinical healthcare settings. Critical priorities include the optimisation of delivery mechanisms into target bacteria and the mitigation of unintended off-target effects. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure that CRISPR-based interventions achieve the necessary precision and safety required for practical clinical applications against resistant pathogens.
Antimicrobial resistance undermines modern medicine by rendering standard antibiotic treatments ineffective against dangerous bacterial infections. Using CRISPR-Cas systems to specifically eliminate the genes that confer resistance could help neutralise resistant bacteria. However, resolving safety, targeting accuracy, and delivery challenges is crucial before these molecular tools can be safely introduced into clinical practice to protect patients.
This technology could enable novel therapeutics that selectively disarm drug-resistant bacteria in hospital and clinical settings. Primary end users would be healthcare providers and clinicians. Based on the abstract, the research remains at an early stage, as substantial barriers relating to delivery systems, off-target safety, and bacterial diversity must be resolved before clinical development or practical market adoption can occur.
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CRISPR-Cas systems are promising for fighting AMR by targeting and eliminating antibiotic-resistant genes, as demonstrated by the effective targeting of colistin resistance genes on MCR-1 plasmids and their similar activities. However, the effectiveness of CRISPR-Cas is affected by variations in the CRISPR loci among bacterial species. Challenges persist, such as optimizing delivery methods and addressing off-target effects to ensure the safety and precision of CRISPR-Cas systems in clinical settings.
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DOI: 10.2147/idr.s494327
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