Circles with a Point: New Insights into Oncogenic Extrachromosomal DNA

• Published in: Cancer cell Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 145 - 146
• Main Author: Ott, Christopher J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 10.02.2020
• ISSN: 1535-6108; 1878-3686
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.01.008

For decades, scientists have observed small extrachromosomal DNA fragments in tumor cells, yet comprehensive examination of their structure and function has remained difficult. Three recent studies, published in Nature, Cell, and Nature Genetics, have now shed important light on the architecture, regulatory capacity, and oncogenic nature of tumor-associated extrachromosomal DNA. For decades, scientists have observed small extrachromosomal DNA fragments in tumor cells, yet comprehensive examination of their structure and function has remained difficult. Three recent studies, published in Nature, Cell, and Nature Genetics, have now shed important light on the architecture, regulatory capacity, and oncogenic nature of tumor-associated extrachromosomal DNA.