Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, and in Ireland alone, accounts for almost one-fifth of all cancer deaths. Despite significant advancements in cancer research, there is still a lack of available treatments for lung cancer patients, and understanding the causative mutations (driver mutations) behind the disease remains limited. Identifying new driver mutations could help us understand how lung cancer progresses and lead to the development of new targeted therapies.
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of poorly characterized genes that have recently been shown to have an emerging role in cancer. These lncRNA genes are often referred to as the “dark matter” of the genome due to the limited understanding of their function. This project aims to investigate the role of lncRNA mutations in lung cancer and determine whether they can function as drivers.
To achieve this, we will use CRISPR prime editing (PE), a highly flexible precision editing tool, to interrogate the functional significance of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) within the lncRNA genes. By doing so, we hope to identify new driver mutations that contribute to the development and progression of lung cancer.
The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of lung cancer development and have the potential to form the basis of future targeted therapies with fewer side effects. Identifying new driver mutations and the role of lncRNA mutations in lung cancer could inform research strategies towards earlier detection and personalized treatments. The study utilizes genomic data from patients to inform the research strategy.
