| abstract |
Compositions and methods for treating infection-associated cancer include the use of a nuclease that cuts nucleic acid of an oncovirus in combination with an adjunct chemo therapeutic that treats cancerous cells. For example, a Cas9 endonuclease and a guide RNA that matches a target in a viral genome without having any corresponding match in the human genome can be delivered along with an anti-apoptotic inhibitor. Embodiments treat a viral infection and use a nuclease and an inhibitor that prevents DNA repair, such as a CRISPR-associated nuclease and a small molecule that inhibits an enzyme of a repair pathway. Under guidance of a targeting sequence, the nuclease cuts viral nucleic acid without cutting the patient's genome. The cut ends of the viral nucleic acid are not repaired because the inhibitor prevents a repair mechanism. |