Introduction

Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) has emerged as a major driving force in cancer, promoting intratumoral genetic heterogeneity, elevated oncogene copy number, rapid tumor evolution and treatment resistance, resulting in shorter survival for patients with many different types of cancer. ecDNA is a genetic, epigenetic, and immunological problem, changing how oncogenes, immunomodulatory genes, and gene regulatory elements are inherited and how they function.  

Recent recognition of ecDNA’s enabling role as a hallmark of cancer, particularly as it results from, and promotes genome instability, has highlighted the critical need to better understand its underlying biology.  

Advances in the field are happening rapidly, and this first EACR virtual conference on the topic will address some of the most recent exciting science that promises to transform our understanding of cancer and translate into benefit for patients. 

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Target audience

The target audience for this conference is basic and translational scientists and clinicians, senior and young investigators. We welcome and encourage not only scientists currently studying ecDNA, but those interested in learning more about and contributing to the field. 

Topics to be covered

• Core ecDNA biology and its underlying mechanisms
• Novel tools and technologies for studying ecDNA, including in patients
• Evolution and modeling of ecDNA during cancer development, progression, metastases, and therapeutic resistance
• Clinical and diagnostic aspects of ecDNA and a vision for the future

Scientific Programme Committee

• Paul Mischel, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA (Chair) 
• Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, University College London Cancer Institute, UK
• Isidro Cortes-Ciriano, EMBL-EBI Wellcome Genome Campus, UK

Lay summary of the conference topic

Certain genes that can drive cancer or affect the immune response to cancer growth can sometimes escape from chromosomes, the place where they are normally found within our genetic code, and form small circular DNA pieces called ecDNA. These pieces can create chaos in cells, helping cancers grow quickly and resist treatment. Learning how they work, catching them early, and finding ways to target them as part of anti-cancer treatments has the potential to benefit many adults and children with cancer.

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