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Updated: Aug 21, 2025

Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells
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Genome-wide Purification of Extrachromosomal Circular DNA from Eukaryotic Cells

Published on: April 4, 2016

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Demystifying extrachromosomal DNA circles: Categories, biogenesis, and cancer therapeutics

Manrong Wu1,2, Kunal Rai1,2

  • 1Graduate Program in Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
|November 16, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are DNA circles found outside chromosomes. This review covers their biology and potential as cancer biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Chromosomal DNA aberrations have been studied for disease association since the 1990s.
  • Extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are double-stranded, closed-circled DNA constructs found outside the main chromosomes within cell nuclei.
  • While often overlooked, eccDNAs are gaining recognition for their roles in physiological processes, tumor diversity, and cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs).
  • To summarize the history, classification, and biogenesis of eccDNAs.
  • To highlight recent advancements and discuss the clinical potential of eccDNAs as biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs).
  • Synthesis of information regarding eccDNA history, classification, and biogenesis.
  • Analysis of recent research on eccDNA functions and clinical applications.

Main Results:

  • Extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) represent a significant area of emerging research in molecular biology and cancer.
  • Recent studies indicate eccDNAs play roles in physiological responses, contribute to intratumoral heterogeneity, and have implications for cancer therapeutics.
  • The potential of eccDNAs as biomarkers in clinical settings is increasingly recognized.

Conclusions:

  • Extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are important genetic elements with diverse biological functions.
  • Further research into eccDNA biogenesis and function is crucial for understanding their role in disease.
  • EccDNAs hold promise as novel biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Keywords:
BiogenesisCancer therapeuticsPhysiological responseeccDNA classificationeccDNAs

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