Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
07:23
Dual CRISPR-Interference Strategy for Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions Between Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Cells
Published on: May 30, 2025
Targeting the embryonic gene Cripto-1 in cancer and beyond
Caterina Bianco1, David S Salomon
1National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Mammary Biology & Tumorigenesis Laboratory, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Biancoc@mail.nih.gov
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents
|November 16, 2010
Summary
The embryonic gene Cripto-1 is re-expressed in many human carcinomas, making it a promising cancer therapeutic target. Targeting Cripto-1 may eliminate both differentiated and undifferentiated cancer cells, including cancer stem cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Developmental Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Embryonic genes like Cripto-1 are inappropriately activated during cancer development.
- Cripto-1 is essential for embryonic development and marks undifferentiated stem cells.
- Re-expression of Cripto-1 in adult carcinomas makes it a potential cancer therapeutic target.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review therapeutic strategies targeting Cripto-1 in cancer.
- To explore the role and targeting of Cripto-1 in neurodegenerative and muscle diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of patent literature and peer-reviewed publications on Cripto-1 targeting.
- Discussion of various therapeutic modalities including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), vaccines, and antisense oligonucleotides.
- Inclusion of ongoing clinical trial data for anti-Cripto-1 therapies.
Main Results:
- Overview of diverse approaches to target Cripto-1, including mAbs, vaccines, and antisense oligonucleotides.
- A humanized anti-Cripto-1 antibody is undergoing Phase I clinical trials for cancer patients.
- Cripto-1 targeting strategies are being investigated for potential applications in neurodegenerative and muscle diseases.
Conclusions:
- Targeting Cripto-1 in human tumors can eliminate differentiated cancer cells.
- Cripto-1 targeting may eradicate undifferentiated cancer stem cells responsible for tumor initiation and self-renewal.
- This approach offers a strategy to combat cancer by targeting its stem-like cell population.
Related Concept Videos
01:16In-vitro Mutagenesis
To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:59CRISPR
Genome editing technologies allow scientists to modify an organism’s DNA via the addition, removal, or rearrangement of genetic material at specific genomic locations. These types of techniques could potentially be used to cure genetic disorders such as hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. One popular and widely used DNA-editing research tool that could lead to safe and effective cures for genetic disorders is the CRISPR-Cas9 system. CRISPR-Cas9 stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...