Genome and base editing for genetic hearing loss

Genome editing opens up a new frontier in developing personalized therapeutic solutions. With the unprecedented advance in the discovery and engineering of gene editing nucleases, it has now become potentially feasible to therapeutically influence up to 90% of all human genetic mutations. Hearing loss is one of the most well studied fields from the genetics perspective, with more than one hundred identified deafness genes. Novel viral and non-viral vectors have been established as safe and efficient modalities to deliver transgenes into cells of the cochlea and to the vestibular system in animal models. Recent studies demonstrated proof-of-concept for therapeutic genome and base editing in the mammalian inner ear and preclinical development is ongoing. This review summarizes important advances and future challenges for this transformative therapeutic modality for genetic and non-genetic hearing loss.