Affiliation:
1. Guangzhou National Laboratory, No. 9 XingDaoHuanBei Road, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou 510005, China
2. GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510005, China
Abstract
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA), a double-stranded circular DNA molecule found in multiple organisms, has garnered an increasing amount of attention in recent years due to its close association with the initiation, malignant progression, and heterogeneous evolution of cancer. The presence of eccDNA in serum assists in non-invasive tumor diagnosis as a biomarker that can be assessed via liquid biopsies. Furthermore, the specific expression patterns of eccDNA provide new insights into personalized cancer therapy. EccDNA plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, development, diagnosis, and treatment. In this review, we comprehensively outline the research trajectory of eccDNA, discuss its role as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, and elucidate its regulatory mechanisms in cancer. In particular, we emphasize the potential application value of eccDNA in cancer diagnosis and treatment and anticipate the development of novel tumor diagnosis strategies based on serum eccDNA in the future.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Guangdong Provincial Pearl River Talents Program
R&D Program of Guangzhou National Laboratory