Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Robin McKie Science editor

‘Bond villain’ DNA could transform cancer treatment, scientists say

Immunofluorescence of cancer cells growing in 2D with nuclei in blue, cytoplasm in red and DNA damage foci in green.
Immunofluorescence of cancer cells growing in 2D with nuclei in blue, cytoplasm in red and DNA damage foci in green. Photograph: Nicola Ferrari/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Scientists have pinpointed pieces of DNA which, they say, act like Bond villains in the way they help cancers spread. These microscopic agents have also been shown to be responsible for helping tumours gain resistance to anti-cancer drugs.

The discovery of these bits of genetic material – known as extrachromosomal DNA or ecDNA – could revolutionise the treatments of some of the most aggressive tumours that affect people today, add the researchers.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.