Prime Editing: An Overview
Emilio M. García-Tenorio, Mar Alvarez, Eva Richard, Lourdes R. Desviat · Methods in molecular biology · 2026
CRISPR tools are revolutionizing the landscape of genetic therapies, with the potential to cure a range of previously untreatable diseases. Among all the available genome editing technologies, prime editing is an especially versatile tool that enables precise genetic modifications, including point mutations, insertions, and deletions, without inducing double-strand breaks or requiring a donor DNA template. Through structural modifications and the development of novel systems with additional functionalities, prime editing has expanded its applicability with improved precision, efficacy, and safety. It is already being tested in clinical trials for chronic granulomatous disease, and many preclinical studies are underway. However, significant challenges remain for its broad applicability as a potential curative therapy for human genetic diseases, mainly related to ensuring efficient and safe delivery to target tissues.