KLIPP - a precision CRISPR approach to target structural variant junctions in cancer

Current cancer therapies typically give rise to dose-limiting normal tissue toxicity. We have developed KLIPP, a precision cancer approach that specifically kills cancer cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The approach consists of guide RNAs that target cancer-specific structural variant junctions to nucleate two parts of a dCas9-conjugated endonuclease, Fok1, leading to its activation. We show that KLIPP causes induction of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) at the targeted junctions and cell death. When cancer cells were grown orthotopically in mice, activation of Fok1 at only two junctions led to the disappearance of tumor cells in 7/11 mice. This therapeutic approach has high specificity for tumor cells and is independent of tumor-specific drivers. Individualized translation of KLIPP to patients would be transformative and lead to consistent and simplified cancer treatment decisions.