Circulating DNA as a Possible Factor in Oncogenesis

Abstract

Infectious DNA from the tumor-inducing polyoma virus and pneumococcal-transforming DNA can be recovered from the blood of mice in biologically active form after intraperitoneal injection. Polyoma DNA appeared to undergo less inactivation than did transforming DNA. In light of these observations, the metastatic spread of cancer may possibly be favored by circulation of tumorigenic DNA in the blood stream.