Selective Depletion of Cancer Cells with Extrachromosomal DNA via Lentiviral Infection

Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), a major focal oncogene amplification mode found across cancer, has recently regained attention as an emerging cancer hallmark, with a pervasive presence across cancers. With technical advancements such as high-coverage sequencing and live-cell genome imaging, we can now investigate the behaviors and functions of ecDNA. However, we still lack an understanding of how to eliminate ecDNA. We observed depletion of cells containing ecDNA during lentiviral but not transposon-based transduction, whereas we sought to investigate the mechanism of ecDNA behavior. This discovery may provide critical information on utilizing a lentiviral system in emerging ecDNA research. Additionally, this observation suggests specific sensitivities for cells with ecDNA.

ecDNA is an essential factor in cancer progression. We found that a group of cancer cells with ecDNA is selectively depleted after lentiviral infection. This finding provides promise for ecDNA-specific targeting, suggests the need for caution in using lentivirus, and offers alternative ways to study ecDNA.