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Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells
Published on: April 4, 2016
The contributions of extrachromosomal DNA elements in neoplasm progression
Jiawei Hong1,2, Shusen Zheng1,2,3,4,5, Donghai Jiang1,2,3,4,5
1Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310000, China.
Abstract:
Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is a small, circular structure of DNA found outside chromosomes, in the cytoplasm and outside cells. Since the discovery of ecDNA in 1964, more studies have verified the significant prospect and application potential of its use in oncology. The presence of ecDNA is associated with a series of tumor activities such as the increasing or decreasing of oncogene copies, carcinogenic transmission, and activation of related signaling pathways. This review focuses on discussing the structure of ecDNA and its relevance in carcinogenesis, angiogenesis, drug resistance and metastasis.
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