ecDNA in Cancer: Targeting circular cancer DNA to slow tumor growth
Official title: eDyNAmiC - UCSD
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11539602 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A funded project at UCSD aims to understand and target extrachromosomal DNA that drives aggressive cancers, with the goal of slowing tumor growth and improving outcomes for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 22, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $687,053 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2CA278635-01S4 |
| Project ID | NIH-11539602 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers known to contain ecDNA, across multiple tumor types, could be candidates for future trials and therapies stemming from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on ecDNA mechanisms may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This NIH grant supports a team at UCSD studying ecDNA, circular DNA pieces that carry many cancer-causing genes and help tumors evolve and resist treatment. The work will combine biology and innovative approaches to map how ecDNA forms, moves, and regulates gene expression in cancer cells. By understanding these mechanisms, researchers hope to identify new ways to disrupt ecDNA-driven cancer progression. The project involves collaboration across international experts to translate findings toward therapies that could benefit patients with ecDNA-positive tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to treat aggressive cancers that harbor ecDNA and improve survival for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have established ecDNA as a key driver in several cancers, with growing evidence that targeting ecDNA biology can alter tumor behavior.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bafna, Vineet — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Bafna, Vineet
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.