Understanding how cancer cells use extrachromosomal DNA to grow and resist treatment
eDyNAmiC - CHARITE
This study is looking at how tiny circular pieces of DNA in cancer cells help tumors grow faster and resist treatments, with the goal of finding new ways to fight these tough cancers for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Charite, Universitaetsmedizin Berlin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berlin, Germany) |
| Project ID | NIH-10623358 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in cancer, focusing on how these circular DNA pieces allow tumors to grow aggressively and evade treatments. By studying the mechanisms of ecDNA formation, function, and evolution, the research aims to uncover new ways to target these aggressive cancers. The interdisciplinary team will analyze various cancer types to understand how ecDNA affects tumor behavior and patient outcomes, potentially leading to innovative treatment strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients whose tumors contain extrachromosomal DNA, which is present in nearly half of all cancer types.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers that do not involve extrachromosomal DNA may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that specifically target cancers driven by ecDNA, improving survival rates for affected patients.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of ecDNA has been recognized for decades, recent advancements in understanding its role in cancer are still emerging, indicating that this research is at the forefront of a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Berlin, Germany
- Charite, Universitaetsmedizin Berlin — Berlin, Germany (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Henssen, Anton George — Charite, Universitaetsmedizin Berlin
- Study coordinator: Henssen, Anton George
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 below.