Dr. Alex Marson on Huberman Lab: How CRISPR can cure cancer

Checkpoint inhibitors unblock T cell attacks, reversing melanoma; CRISPR now rewrites T cell DNA directly, extending targeted immunotherapy to solid tumors.

Dr. Alex MarsonguestAndrew Hubermanhost

Mar 9, 20262h 27mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: March 9, 2026
Duration: 2h 27m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Dr. Alex Marson, MD, PhD, is a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. We discuss the biology of the immune system and cancer, and everyday choices that can increase or decrease your cancer risk, several of which are surprising but all of which are actionable. We also discuss immunotherapy, including how engineered T-cells can be used to defeat childhood and adult cancers. Dr. Marson explains CRISPR and gene editing to cure diseases, and we address the ethical questions surrounding gene editing in embryos, children and adults. This discussion is for anyone interested in avoiding cancer and/or seeking to understand the science and practical applications of immune- or gene-therapy. Show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/oBv3wjv Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Huberman Lab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://x.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter Dr. Alex Marson Lab website: https://www.marsonlab.org Gladstone Institute: https://gladstone.org/people/alex-marson USCF profile: https://profiles.ucsf.edu/alexander.marson Publications: https://gladstone.org/people/alex-marson#publications BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/marsonlab.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-marson-65483a5 Timestamps 00:00:00 Alex Marson 00:02:21 Diseases & Current Biological Landscape; AI & Computational Tools 00:05:56 Immune System, Innate vs Adaptive Immune System 00:10:55 Thymus, T Cell Selection; B Cells & Antibodies 00:13:23 Sponsors: BetterHelp & Helix Sleep 00:16:11 Immune System Health, Sleep, Diet; Genes 00:20:56 Childhood Exposure & Allergy Prevention; Autoimmune Reactions 00:25:27 Whole Body Immune Response, Cytokines & Fever; Antibiotics 00:30:51 Cancer; Mutations & Cell Regulation; Smoking, BRCA Mutations, Sunlight 00:38:27 BRAC Mutations, Mutagens, Pesticides 00:42:33 Sponsor: AG1 00:43:57 X-Rays & Airport Scanners, Carcinogen vs Mutagen, Charred Meat, Food Dye 00:49:34 Immune-Based Cancer Treatment, Checkpoint Inhibitors, CAR T-Cell Therapy 00:59:04 CRISPR, Immunotherapies 01:02:52 Age & Cancer Risk; CAR T-Cells, Targets & Side Effects; Ketogenic Diet 01:08:27 CRISPR Discovery & Mechanism 01:17:06 CRISPR Precision, Risk & Benefit; CRISPR Technology Evolution 01:20:57 Sponsor: LMNT 01:22:17 CRISPR Cell Delivery, Clinical Trials; Treating Early Cancers & Prevention 01:33:47 Liposomes, Engineered Viruses, Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs), Vaccines 01:39:57 COVID Pandemic & Trust in Science, mRNA Vaccine 01:47:51 Sponsor: Function 01:49:39 Drug Delivery to Cancer, Immunotoxins, T-Cell Engagers; AI Protein Targets 01:55:45 CRISPR Embryo Modification, Ethics; Heritable Gene Editing, Diversity 02:05:42 Deep Sequencing Embryos, Diversity; Overcoming Adversity & Resilience 02:10:44 Upcoming Therapeutics, Autoimmunity & CAR T-Cells, CRISPR & Gene Function 02:17:55 Banking T Cells or iPSCs?, Future of Cell Programming 02:24:41 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter #HubermanLab #Science #Health Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

Dr. Alex Marson
guest
Andrew Huberman
host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Dr. Alex Marson and Andrew Huberman, Dr. Alex Marson on Huberman Lab: How CRISPR can cure cancer explores reprogramming immunity with CRISPR and CAR T to fight cancer Dr. Alex Marson explains the immune system’s core logic—distinguishing self from non-self—by contrasting innate “alarm” responses with adaptive B- and T-cell specificity shaped by thymic selection.

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