CRISPR gene-editing screens are mapping the genetic roots of treatment failure in blood cancer.

This protocol describes using CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens to systematically identify genes mediating drug resistance in AML. Cells surviving better when a particular gene is deleted implicate that gene in resistance to cytarabine or venetoclax.

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CRISPR gene-editing screens are mapping the genetic roots of treatment failure in blood cancer.

CRISPR gene-editing screens are mapping the genetic roots of treatment failure in blood cancer.

This protocol describes using CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens to systematically identify genes mediating drug resistance in AML. Cells surviving better when a particular gene is deleted implicate that gene in resistance to cytarabine or venetoclax.

Key Findings

  • CRISPR-Cas9 screens identify drug resistance genes in AML systematically
  • Genes whose knockout increases drug tolerance implicated as resistance drivers
  • Applicable to cytarabine and venetoclax resistance
  • Identified genes provide rational targets for combination therapies

Implications

Methodology accelerates AML resistance discovery, potentially enabling combination therapies that prevent relapse.

Caveats

Methods protocol paper; abstract-only. Results require extensive experimental and clinical validation.

Source: Methods in cell biology — 2026-01-01

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