Study: Aggressive Cancer Can be Treated by Targeting Rogue DNA

Above: Radiologist Fredric Pedulla shows a nodule on a lung scan of a smoking person for the Acapulco experimentation in Ajaccio on December 16, 2021, on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica. Image copyright: Pascal Pochard-Casabianca/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images

The Facts

  • Researchers from the UK and US have found that treating the most aggressive cancers should focus on targeting extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), which are "rogue" DNA fragments that help cancerous tumors flourish and become chemotherapy-resistant.

  • They found ecDNA is present in over 17% of analyzed tumors, particularly in aggressive forms of breast, brain, and lung cancers.

  • This rogue DNA, which is found across 39 cancer types, also amplifies immunomodulatory and inflammatory genes, which contribute to treatment resistance, immune evasion, and cancer spreading to other parts of the body.


The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

While cancer treatments are currently necessary for a lot of people, the most important thing to focus on is how to prevent the next generation of cancer patients. This horrific disease should not be as widespread as it is, and the medical establishment is choosing to prescribe profitable medications rather than focus on the root causes. Our food supply and environment are chock-full of toxins that are destroying human cells. If we got rid of those toxins, we could put a major dent in the cancer epidemic.


Pro-establishment narrative

DNA treatments are the future of cancer therapy, as they precisely target the root epigenetic changes that drive tumor growth without damaging healthy cells. Unlike traditional treatments like chemotherapy, which indiscriminately kills cells, epigenetic drugs can restore normal gene function by reversing harmful DNA modifications. This will make cancer treatment more efficient while also reducing negative symptoms.



Metaculus Prediction




Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!