DNA segments that are naturally excised during immune-cell development can replicate, drive damage at various genomic sites and lead to cancer recurrence

High levels of circular DNA made as immune cells develop increases the risk of leukaemia relapse

Understanding the genetic changes that underpin cancer growth is a key step towards identifying suitable treatments. Writing in Nature, Gao et al.¹ shed light on a type of non-chromosomal DNA that influences the likelihood of relapse of a type of leukaemia.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-02421-0

This story originally appeared on: Nature - Author:Karla K. Rodgers