{"title":"Extrachromosomal circular DNA: a double-edged sword in cancer progression and age-related diseases.","authors":"Shadira Anindieta Irdianto, Astari Dwiranti, Anom Bowolaksono","doi":"10.1007/s13577-025-01178-y","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is a fascinating form of genetic material found outside the usual chromosomal DNA in eukaryotic cells, including humans. Since its discovery in the 1960s, eccDNA has been linked to critical roles in cancer progression and age-related diseases. This review thoroughly explores eccDNA, covering its types, how it forms, and its significant impact on diseases, particularly cancer. EccDNA, especially in its extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) form, contributes to the genetic diversity of tumour cells, helping them evolve quickly and resist treatments. Beyond cancer, eccDNA is also connected to age-related conditions like Werner syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), where it may affect genomic stability and disease development. The potential of eccDNA as a biomarker for predicting disease outcomes and as a target for new treatments is also highlighted. This review aims to deepen our understanding of eccDNA and inspire further research into its roles in human health and disease, paving the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":49194,"journal":{"name":"Human Cell","volume":"38 2","pages":"58"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Human Cell","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13577-025-01178-y","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CELL BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is a fascinating form of genetic material found outside the usual chromosomal DNA in eukaryotic cells, including humans. Since its discovery in the 1960s, eccDNA has been linked to critical roles in cancer progression and age-related diseases. This review thoroughly explores eccDNA, covering its types, how it forms, and its significant impact on diseases, particularly cancer. EccDNA, especially in its extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) form, contributes to the genetic diversity of tumour cells, helping them evolve quickly and resist treatments. Beyond cancer, eccDNA is also connected to age-related conditions like Werner syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), where it may affect genomic stability and disease development. The potential of eccDNA as a biomarker for predicting disease outcomes and as a target for new treatments is also highlighted. This review aims to deepen our understanding of eccDNA and inspire further research into its roles in human health and disease, paving the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
期刊介绍:
Human Cell is the official English-language journal of the Japan Human Cell Society. The journal serves as a forum for international research on all aspects of the human cell, encompassing not only cell biology but also pathology, cytology, and oncology, including clinical oncology. Embryonic stem cells derived from animals, regenerative medicine using animal cells, and experimental animal models with implications for human diseases are covered as well.
Submissions in any of the following categories will be considered: Research Articles, Cell Lines, Rapid Communications, Reviews, and Letters to the Editor. A brief clinical case report focusing on cellular responses to pathological insults in human studies may also be submitted as a Letter to the Editor in a concise and short format.
Not only basic scientists but also gynecologists, oncologists, and other clinical scientists are welcome to submit work expressing new ideas or research using human cells.