Post by Sanford Burnham Prebys

When DNA is damaged in cancer cells, fragments can sometimes break away from chromosomes and form circular loops known as extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA). These DNA "islands" are increasingly recognized as a hallmark of some of the most aggressive cancers. New research from Sanford Burnham Prebys and collaborators, published in Genome Medicine, found that research models developed from tumors containing ecDNA closely mirror the tumors from which they were derived. The team, led by Lukas Chavez, PhD, analyzed nearly 300 pediatric tumor samples spanning 31 cancer types and compared them to corresponding laboratory models. The strong similarities between the tumors and their models provide greater confidence that these systems can be used to better understand how ecDNA drives cancer growth and to identify new diagnostic and treatment strategies. Rishaan Kenkre was the lead author of the study. As scientists continue to uncover the role of ecDNA in cancer progression and treatment resistance, having accurate models will be critical for translating discoveries into better outcomes for patients. https://lnkd.in/gRVggr8P