Are there clinical trials for CRISPR therapy in infectious disease?

CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing tool that is now moving from research labs into clinical therapies. While the first approved CRISPR treatments target blood disorders like sickle-cell anemia, researchers are also testing this technology for infectious diseases. These trials aim to use gene editing to fight off pathogens or modify the immune system to better handle infections.

What the research says

A review of clinical trials registered as of late 2024 confirms that CRISPR-Cas9 is being explored to treat a broad range of conditions, including cancer and infectious disease ³. This technology is currently the most prevalent CRISPR-based tool in these ongoing trials. The first FDA-approved CRISPR therapy was granted in late 2023, marking a significant step for gene editing in human medicine ³.

Beyond gene editing, other advanced technologies are also entering clinical trials for infectious disease. For example, nanobodies are being studied for detecting and imaging infectious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ⁵. These small antibody fragments are being investigated for their potential in diagnostics and therapeutics for various infections. Additionally, metagenomic next-generation sequencing is being used to improve the diagnosis of pediatric infectious diseases, showing higher sensitivity than conventional tests ².

What to ask your doctor

• Are there any clinical trials for CRISPR or gene editing therapies for infectious disease that I might qualify for?
• How are current diagnostic tests like metagenomic sequencing being used to detect infections in my specific case?
• What are the emerging treatments, such as nanobody therapies, being tested for conditions like SARS-CoV-2?
• Is there a role for adjunctive therapies or new delivery systems in managing my infection risk?