From: Small extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA): major functions in evolution and cancer
Clinical utility | Type of cancer | References |
---|---|---|
• Modulates the copies of oncogene-harboring eccDNAs to improve the efficacy of cancer treatment. | ||
 (I) The elimination of eccDNAs carrying oncogenes promotes drug sensitivity. | Neuroblastoma | [74] |
 (II) Chemotherapeutic drugs promote the elimination of eccDNA containing amplified genes. | Neuroblastoma, colon cancer | |
 (III) DNA-PKs or PARP inhibitors decrease drug resistance and eccDNA production. | Colorectal cancer | [43] |
• EccDNAs serve as promising biomarkers for cancer monitoring and prognosis. | ||
 (I) Normal and cancerous tissues release eccDNAs into the circulation, which suggests promising potential for liquid biopsy. | Ovarian cancer, lung cancer | |
 (II) Patients with eccDNA carrying amplified MYCN exhibit worse overall survival than patients with MYCN-amplified tumors lacking such rearrangements. | Neuroblastoma | [6] |
 (III) EccDNA in the circulation is sharply decreased after surgery in patients with cancer. | Ovarian cancer, lung cancer | [110] |
 (IV) EccDNA is responsible for tumor recurrence. | Glioblastoma multiforme | [72] |
• EccDNA serves as a promising tool for tracing the origin of the primary cancer. | ||
 (I) The presence of eccDNA in the circulation is helpful for discriminating the origin of primary cancer. | NA | [114] |
 (II) The methylation status of eccDNA in the circulation is different and unique under specific physiological conditions, which makes eccDNA a trace biomarker. | Not applicable | [22] |