Study links 3D DNA structure to aggressive brain cancer
A new preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine has revealed that the three-dimensional folding of DNA in brain cells may play a crucial role in glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
Published in Molecular Cell, the research moves beyond traditional genetic analysis to examine how the spatial organization of DNA can influence cancer behavior.
Researchers found that in glioblastoma cells, distant regions of DNA form “3D hubs” that enable genes to interact and coordinate abnormally, driving tumor growth. These hubs often include cancer-related genes working alongside genes not previously linked to glioblastoma.
Notably, the formation of these hubs appears to result more from epigenetic changes—alterations in gene regulation—than from direct genetic mutations. “We uncovered hubs where genetic regions communicate and collaborate, reshaping how we understand cancer,” said co-lead author Dr. Effie Apostolou.
The study also found similar 3D DNA structures across 16 other cancer types, suggesting the phenomenon may be widespread. Dr. Howard Fine, also a co-lead author, emphasized the potential of targeting these hubs to develop new treatments.
Future research will explore how to safely disrupt these 3D structures, potentially opening new avenues in cancer therapy by complementing existing molecular treatments.
