* Scientists discovered a relationship between cancer and extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in 1965, but considered ecDNAs rare and not worth investigating.
* Researchers subsequently learned that ecDNAs are common and central to the behavior of some of the most aggressive forms of cancer, enabling remarkably elevated levels of oncogene transcription, creating new gene regulatory interactions, and providing a powerful mechanism for rapid change that can drive very high oncogene copy numbers or allow cancer cells to resist treatment.
* Like Ptolemy’s flawed map that placed Earth at the center of the solar system, cancer researchers today may be analyzing genes and diseases with flawed maps.
* Scientists discovered a relationship between cancer and extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in 1965, but considered ecDNAs rare and not worth investigating.
* Researchers subsequently learned that ecDNAs are common and central to the behavior of some of the most aggressive forms of cancer, enabling remarkably elevated levels of oncogene transcription, creating new gene regulatory interactions, and providing a powerful mechanism for rapid change that can drive very high oncogene copy numbers or allow cancer cells to resist treatment.
* Like Ptolemy’s flawed map that placed Earth at the center of the solar system, cancer researchers today may be analyzing genes and diseases with flawed maps.
Related Articles:
* https://www.the-scientist.com/features/cancer-may-be-driven-...
* https://chemh.stanford.edu/news/shining-light-extrachromosom...