Gene Editing with CRISPR/CAS9: A Review of Its Potential in Treating Genetic Disorders, Cancer and Agricultural Application

Abstract

Background: CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as a transformative genome-editing platform with major implications for biomedical research, therapeutic development, and agricultural biotechnology. Its ability to induce targeted genetic modification has created new opportunities for correcting monogenic disorders, identifying cancer vulnerabilities, engineering immune-cell therapies, and improving crop and livestock traits. However, clinical and large-scale agricultural translation remain limited by off-target editing, delivery barriers, immune responses, biosafety concerns, ethical issues, regulatory inconsistency, and unequal access. Objective: This structured narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the molecular mechanism, therapeutic potential, agricultural applications, limitations, and future prospects of CRISPR/Cas9, with emphasis on genetic disorders, cancer therapy, and agricultural biotechnology. Methods: Literature published between January 2016 and December 2025 was searched using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Embase. Eligible sources included peer-reviewed original studies, clinical and preclinical research, systematic reviews, and high-quality narrative reviews addressing CRISPR/Cas9 mechanisms, biomedical applications, agricultural uses, delivery systems, safety, ethics, or regulation. Evidence was synthesized thematically rather than statistically because of heterogeneity across study designs, organisms, diseases, editing platforms, and outcomes. Results: The synthesis showed that CRISPR/Cas9 is most clinically advanced in settings where target cells can be accessed and monitored, particularly ex vivo hematopoietic stem-cell editing for sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. In oncology, CRISPR/Cas9 supports functional genomic screening, target discovery, immune-checkpoint modification, and CAR-T cell engineering, although tumor heterogeneity and safety concerns remain important barriers. In agriculture and livestock, CRISPR/Cas9 enables improvement of yield, disease resistance, stress tolerance, nutritional quality, and productivity, but implementation depends on biosafety evaluation, ecological assessment, regulation, and public acceptance. Conclusion: CRISPR/Cas9 is a versatile and rapidly evolving genome-editing technology with substantial potential in precision medicine, cancer therapy, and sustainable agriculture. Future progress depends on improved editing specificity, safer delivery systems, long-term safety evaluation, transparent governance, and equitable access.