Leveraging Epigenetic Biomarkers and CRISPR-Cas12a for Early Prostate Cancer Detection in Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities and Challenges

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Abstract
Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths among men in Sub-Saharan Africa, where late-stage diagnoses are common due to limited access to affordable and sensitive diagnostic tools. Early detection is essential to improve survival and reduce the disease burden. This review explores the integration of epigenetic biomarkers and CRISPR-Cas12a technology as a transformative approach for early, non-invasive prostate cancer detection in resource-limited settings. Among the many complexities of cancer development, molecular dysregulation plays a critical role. Epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation, histone changes, and non-coding RNA expression have emerged as stable and specific biomarkers with significant potential for the early detection and characterisation of prostate carcinogenesis. However, their low concentration in body fluids poses a significant challenge for detection. CRISPR-Cas12a, renowned for its high specificity and sensitivity, offers a promising solution. When integrated with isothermal amplification and liquid biopsy techniques, it enables rapid, point-of-care diagnostics. This review proposes a CRISPR-Cas12a-based diagnostic pipeline for the detection of specific epigenetic markers in liquid biopsies that could be associated with prostate cancer. The adoption of this technology in Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to significantly improve early diagnosis, reduce mortality, and promote health equity.
Funding Information
  • Africa Foundation to the Developing Excellence in Leadership (Del-15-008)
  • Africa Foundation to the Developing Excellence in Leadership (Del-22-011)
  • Wellcome Trust and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
  • European Commission (EDCPT2)

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