Background: The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology has recently been discovered for gene editing and cancer therapy and its applications are expanding. This review and meta-analysis aim to assess the present and future of CRISPR/Cas9 based gene editing in cancer treatment and the way forward. Methods: The search was conducted in PubMed from 2015 to 2025 and 89 relevant studies were identified. The study design, CRISPR/Cas9 targets, delivery methods, therapeutic efficacy and limitations were extracted from the studies. Results: We reviewed the efficacy, challenges, and potential for translation of CRISPR/Cas9 in oncogene and tumor suppressor gene targeting and immune modulation. Several preclinical researches showed that CRISPR/Cas9 mediated disruption of oncogenes or restoration of tumor suppressor genes led to significant tumor regression. The evaluation was also extended to off target effects and integration with immunotherapy. Conclusion: From the findings of this work, it can be concluded that CRISPR/Cas9 is a promising tool, but there are several limitations including off target effects, delivery systems and ethical issues that need to be solved in order to improve the clinical significance.

Background: South Asia comprises genetically diverse populations because its populations have experienced multiple migrations combined with endogamy and isolation throughout history. Research on large-scale genetic variation patterns in this region remains scarce. This study aims to perform both a systematic review and meta-analysis of research about genetic diversity in South Asian populations. Methods: The PubMed database yielded 3798 studies within the time frame from 2010 to 2025. The analysis included 57 studies that fulfilled the required criteria after initial screening. The random-effects model processed pooled F_ST values together with heterozygosity estimates and allele frequency variation across ethnic subgroups. Results: The genetic differentiation (F_ST) measurements between significant South Asian groups extended from 0.02 to 0.15. The homozygosity levels were significantly higher in tribal populations (mean runs of homozygosity = 0.38) than in caste groups. The combined F_ST value reached 0.072 with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.061 to 0.084. The highest heterozygosity values existed among North Indian speakers of the Indo-European language, while isolated tribal populations showed the lowest heterozygosity levels. Conclusion: The genetic structure of South Asia extends deep into its population because of geographical barriers as well as linguistic and social organization systems. The diverse genetic makeup of populations affects both disease risk profiles and precision medical approaches for individual groups.

Introduction Lack of awareness and negative attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are key barriers to minimizing the transmission of HIV. Therefore, the present survey-based study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and attitudes toward PLWHA. Methods In the present study, we collected data from 612 Kyrgyz national participants using a self-administered questionnaire. Results Among the participants, 59% (361) were females, and 41% (251) were males. The mean age of the participants was 26.23 (SD = 7.7) years. All participants were aware of HIV/AIDS, and 59.1% (362) agreed to have sufficient information about HIV/AIDS. Overall, the participants displayed a high level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission, and 89.2% (546) of them were aware of sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS. Among the participants, 54% (330) believed that using condoms during sexual intercourse could prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Concerning social attitudes, 17% (104) of the participants agreed that HIV-infected individuals should be isolated from society. Moreover, 39% (238) of them disagreed to work with PLWHA. The results of the study suggest that female participants were more aware of the modes of HIV/AIDS transmission than males. However, misconceptions regarding transmission routes were present in both genders. Conclusion The present study revealed that study participants had correct knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission modes such as unsafe blood transfusion and injectable drug abuse. However, knowledge about unsafe tattooing and mother-to-baby mode of HIV/AIDS transmission was observed to be lower. Female participants were found to be more aware of HIV/AIDS transmission. There is a need to address the knowledge and awareness gap in the general population of Kyrgyzstan, especially among the male population.

Transcription factors (TF) are a wide class of genes in plants, and these can regulate the expression of other genes in response to various environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic). In the current study, transcription factor activity in sugarcane was examined during cold stress. Initially, RNA transcript reads of two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and GT08-1108) under cold stress were downloaded from SRA NCBI database. The reads were aligned into a reference genome and the differential expression analyses were performed with the R/Bioconductor edgeR package. Based on our analyses in the ROC22 cultivar, 963 TF genes were significantly upregulated under cold stress among a total of 5649 upregulated genes, while 293 TF genes were downregulated among a total of 3,289 downregulated genes. In the GT08-1108 cultivar, 974 TF genes were identified among 5,649 upregulated genes and 283 TF genes were found among 3,289 downregulated genes. Most transcription factors were annotated with GO categories related to protein binding, transcription factor binding, DNA-sequence-specific binding, transcription factor complex, transcription factor activity in RNA polymerase II, the activity of nucleic acid binding transcription factor, transcription corepressor activity, sequence-specific regulatory region, the activity of transcription factor of RNA polymerase II, transcription factor cofactor activity, transcription factor activity from plastid promoter, transcription factor activity from RNA polymerase I promoter, polymerase II and RNA polymerase III. The findings of above results will help to identify differentially expressed transcription factors during cold stress. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of the transcription activity of many genes. Therefore, this study provides the molecular basis for improving cold tolerance in sugarcane and other economically important grasses.

Epigenetic changes are increasingly acknowledged as crucial factors in the beginning of both blood cancers and solid tumors. These amendments, such as DNA methylation and histone changes, influence gene expression and cellular activities without altering the fundamental DNA sequence. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of DNA methylation and histone modifications in cancer pathogenesis, with a focus on their potential applications as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers. The review synthesizes findings from recent studies on epigenetic alterations in cancer, emphasizing their mechanistic roles in tumorigenesis, therapeutic resistance, and tumor heterogeneity. Relevant studies were chosen for their focus on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and their clinical significance. This review highlights the frequent occurrence of tumor suppressor gene hypermethylation and oncogene hypomethylation across various cancers. Additionally, changes in histone modifications, such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation, can alter chromatin configuration and play a significant role in the emergence of oncogenic characteristics. The crosstalk between these epigenetic mechanisms contributes to the reprogramming of the cancer epigenome, driving tumor heterogeneity and resistance to therapy. Understanding the mechanisms of epigenetic alterations in cancer provides new opportunities for developing targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes. Epigenetic biomarkers hold promise for early diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies. This review underscores the importance of epigenetic research in oncology, offering insights into novel therapeutic targets and strategies. It also highlights the need for further studies to translate these findings into clinical applications, ultimately reshaping cancer treatment paradigms. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2025, 11(2), 23-36