Scientists have pinpointed pieces of DNA which, they say, act like Bond villains in the way they help cancers spread. Researchers based in a number of UK and US universities found that extrachromosomal DNA, known as ecDNA, can help tumors to develop resistance to anti-cancer drugs. ecDNA is present in around a third of cancers, according to Queen Mary’s University.
Professor Paul Mischel, of Stanford University, told The Guardian that the discovery was a potential “game changer” for future cancer treatment. “We believe they are responsible for a large number of the more advanced, most serious cancers affecting people today. If we can block their activities, we can block the spread of these cancers,” he added.
