Tiny DNA Circles Disrupt Genetic Laws to Fuel Cancer Growth, Stanford Study Finds

Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), tiny circles of DNA that carry cancer-associated genes, play a critical role in cancer development, according to new research led by Stanford Medicine. These DNA circles can be found in precancerous cells, and their presence accelerates the transformation to a cancerous state. The circles contain genes likely to dampen the immune system's response to a nascent cancer. Blocking their formation or their effect on the cells that carry them might stop cancers from developing, the researchers believe. This discovery paves the way for potential early diagnosis and intervention methods in cancer treatment.