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Updated: Sep 12, 2025

VDJ-Seq: Deep Sequencing Analysis of Rearranged Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Gene to Reveal Clonal Evolution Patterns of B Cell Lymphoma
Published on: December 28, 2015
Excised DNA circles from V(D)J recombination promote relapsed leukaemia
Zeqian Gao1, James N F Scott1, Matthew P Edwards1,2
1School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Excised signal circles (ESCs), by-products of V(D)J recombination, replicate and persist, unlike previously thought. Increased ESCs correlate with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia relapse, indicating a role in adverse cancer outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Extrachromosomal DNA amplification is linked to poor cancer prognoses.
- Excised signal circles (ESCs) are by-products of V(D)J recombination.
- Current understanding suggests ESCs are lost during cell division.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the replication and persistence of ESCs.
- To determine the correlation between ESC copy numbers and cancer relapse.
- To elucidate the role of ESCs in disease progression and adverse outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Measured ESC persistence and replication using recombination footprints.
- Analyzed ESC copy numbers at diagnosis and relapse in B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients.
- Assessed mutations associated with V(D)J recombinase-ESC complex and gene expression.
Main Results:
- ESCs replicate and persist through multiple cell generations.
- Increased ESC copy numbers at diagnosis strongly correlate with subsequent relapse.
- Elevated ESC replication and associated mutations are observed in patients who relapse.
Conclusions:
- Contrary to dogma, ESCs replicate and persist, contributing to adverse cancer outcomes.
- Increased ESC abundance and replication are key factors in B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia progression and relapse.
- Targeting ESC replication may offer new therapeutic strategies for high-risk leukemia.
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