Journal Article (Review Article)

DKFZ-2026-00915

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png A recipe for chaos: Extrachromosomal DNA and the hallmarks of cancer.

Wong, I. T. ; Bailey, C. ; Wu, S. ; Henssen, A. G.DKFZ* ; Cravatt, B. F. ; Chen, Z. J. ; Bafna, V. ; Jamal-Hanjani, M. ; Swanton, C. ; Chang, H. Y. ; Mischel, P. S.

2026
Cell Press [Cambridge, Mass.]

Abstract: Some aggressive cancers exhibit a level of rapid genome change and therapy resistance that is difficult to explain. Research over the past decade has shown that extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) can be the cause. When oncogenic genetic elements untether from chromosomes and no longer follow Mendelian inheritance, genomic chaos and accelerated evolution ensue, generating unique ecDNA biology and non-traditional therapeutic vulnerabilities distinct from traditional mutation-targeting approaches. Here, we put forward a holistic view where ecDNA is integrated into the broader Hallmarks of Cancer framework to better understand the problem and chart a path forward.

Keyword(s): Neoplasms: genetics (MeSH) ; Neoplasms: pathology (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Animals (MeSH) ; DNA: genetics (MeSH) ; Mutation (MeSH) ; DNA

Note: #DKTKZFB26#

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DKTK Koordinierungsstelle Berlin (BE01)

Research Program(s):

1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 60 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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