A recipe for chaos: Extrachromosomal DNA and the hallmarks of cancer

Cell 2026 Open access

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Authors: Ivy Tsz-Lo Wong, Chris Bailey, Sihan Wu, Anton G. Henssen, Benjamin F. Cravatt, Zhijian J. Chen, Vineet Bafna, Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, Charlie Swanton, Howard Y. Chang, Paul S. Mischel
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2026.03.011
Cited by: 5
References: 84

Abstract

Some aggressive cancers exhibit a level of rapid genome change and therapy resistance that is difficult to explain. Research over the past decade has shown that extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) can be the cause. When oncogenic genetic elements untether from chromosomes and no longer follow Mendelian inheritance, genomic chaos and accelerated evolution ensue, generating unique ecDNA biology and non-traditional therapeutic vulnerabilities distinct from traditional mutation-targeting approaches. Here, we put forward a holistic view where ecDNA is integrated into the broader Hallmarks of Cancer framework to better understand the problem and chart a path forward.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Genomic variations and chromosomal abnormalities Microtubule and mitosis dynamics

Publication details

Journal / source
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
189
Issue
8
Pages
2307–2321
Publication date
1 April 2026
Language
EN