Human and HPV Genes Combine to Form Extrachromosomal DNA That Promotes Oropharyngeal Tumor Growth

The incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer tumors of the back of the mouth and throat is rising. If caught early, most of these cancers have a high survival rate, but about 20% of patients have a poor prognosis. Now, researchers from UC San Diego and their colleagues have found that HPV DNA hybridizes with human DNA genes in oropharyngeal cancer cells, forming extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA) that promotes tumor growth.