Therapeutic in vivo genome editing: innovations and challenges in rAAV vector-based CRISPR delivery

Abstract

The integration of CRISPR systems with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors has opened new possibilities for therapeutic genome editing, offering potential treatments for both genetic and non-genetic disorders. rAAV vectors have emerged as promising vehicles for in vivo gene therapy due to their favorable safety profile, high tissue specificity, and ability to induce sustained transgene expression. However, their limited packaging capacity has been a significant challenge for delivering large CRISPR molecules. To overcome this limitation, innovative strategies have been developed, including the use of compact Cas orthologs, dual rAAV vector systems, and trans-splicing rAAV vectors. These approaches have significantly improved the efficiency of genome editing for therapeutic applications. This review presents recent advancements in rAAV-CRISPR-mediated in vivo gene therapy, highlighting key technological innovations, current challenges, and the therapeutic potential of these strategies in the development of next-generation gene therapies.