Inducible CRISPR/Cas systems in precision oncology: Current applications and future perspectives

Inducible CRISPR/Cas systems enable spatiotemporal control of genome editing in response to chemical, optical, biological, or physical stimuli. By restricting genome-editing activity to defined conditions, these systems may reduce off-target exposure and immune burden while improving tumor-selective control, making them attractive tools for precision oncology.

This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms, design principles, and current applications of inducible CRISPR/Cas systems in cancer research and therapy. These platforms are classified into chemically inducible, optogenetic, tumor microenvironment-responsive, physically triggered, and logic-gated systems. Regulatory strategies are discussed at multiple levels, including transcriptional control, post-translational regulation, guide RNA engineering, and stimulus-responsive delivery. Key applications include functional genomic screening, cancer modeling, therapeutic gene editing, immunotherapy enhancement, and combinatorial treatment strategies. We also examine current delivery approaches, including viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, stimulus-responsive nanocarriers, and biomimetic platforms.

Inducible CRISPR/Cas systems represent a promising platform for next-generation precision cancer therapy. However, substantial optimization and rigorous preclinical validation remain necessary to address challenges related to leaky expression, induction efficiency, tissue penetration, immunogenicity, and long-term safety before clinical translation can be realized.

Inducible CRISPR/Cas systems enable conditional genome editing in precision oncology. Chemical, optical, TME-responsive, physical, and logic-gated systems offer distinct control features. Delivery, leakiness, immunogenicity, and safety remain key translational barriers. Ex vivo immune-cell engineering and locoregional delivery may offer nearer-term clinical routes.