New CRISPR activation platform uncovers genetic drivers of cancer resistance The next-generation tool, called Partita, identified both known and novel genes that contribute to resistance in lymphomas. Written byAllison Whitten, PhD

New CRISPR activation platform uncovers genetic drivers of cancer resistance The next-generation tool, called Partita, identified both known and novel genes that contribute to resistance in lymphomas. Written byAllison Whitten, PhD https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/new-crispr-activation-platform-uncovers-genetic-drivers-of-cancer-resistance-17550 Even when a cancer diagnosis has cutting edge treatments available, the threat of resistance lingers. Around 90 percent of cancer-related deaths are estimated to be related to cancer drug resistance, whereby tumor cells carry genetic mutations that allow them to resist the drug from the start, or they acquire them during treatment. Unfortunately, it remains difficult for physicians and researchers to identify which genes cause resistance. Now, researchers led by Marco Herold at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute have created a new tool that could make it much easier to identify target genes. The team developed Partita, a whole-genome library for murine models that the research team used to examine blood cancers, including resistance against the commonly prescribed drug venetoclax, a B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein inhibitor.