Fig. 5: ecDNA in tumor formation, evolution, and drug resistance. | Cell Research

Fig. 5: ecDNA in tumor formation, evolution, and drug resistance.

From: Modern biology of extrachromosomal DNA: A decade-long voyage of discovery

Fig. 5

ecDNAs may emerge before tumor formation, and subsequently drive malignant transformation. Along with tumor evolution, ecDNA copy number, complexity, and heterogeneity can increase. Under selective pressure of therapies, specific subpopulations of tumor cells with optimal ecDNA composition survive, rendering drug resistance and relapse.

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