Engineering L7Ae for RNA-Only Delivery Kill Switch Targeting CMS2 Type Colorectal Cancer Cells

The lack of specific-targeting therapy to precisely identify and kill malignant cells while sparing others is a great challenge in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. In the era of molecular classification of tumors, CRC has been grouped into four Consensus Molecular Subtypes. Accounting for 37% of all types, the CMS2 group (canonical type) shows distinguishing features: WNT and MYC signaling activation. In this study, we designed an RNA-only delivery kill switch to specifically eliminate CMS2 type CRC cells. The sensing and logic processing functions are integrated by the newly engineered L7Ae, which can not only detect the stability of beta-catenin protein and the presence of cytoplasm located Myc/Myc-nick, but also do logic computation. The circuit specifically eliminated HCT-116 cells while sparing other kinds of cells, showing a proof-of-principle approach to precisely target CMS2 type CRC.

Automated summary

The challenge in colorectal cancer treatment is the lack of specific-targeting therapy to precisely kill malignant cells. A study designed an RNA-only delivery kill switch to eliminate CMS2 type CRC cells, showing a proof-of-principle approach for targeted therapy.