Figure 1.

eccDNAs as potential biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease. The clinical value of eccDNAs in IBD. (a) eccDNAs can be found in patient samples, such as blood, urine, feces, or intestinal biopsies. The identification of eccDNAs would be helpful in the diagnosis of IBD and prognosis. (b) The amount of eccDNAs in the intestinal mucosa and in the serum could correlate with the degree of intestinal inflammation, making it possible to assess the patient’s disease activity non-invasively. The sequencing of eccDNA will allow us to detect whether there are genes related to any non-response mechanisms, such as amplification of the targeted cytokine, enabling us to personalize the therapy and possibly even improve its efficacy due to therapeutic modulation of eccDNA. The sequencing of circulating eccDNA in serum could allow us to detect at an early stage the presence of genes (e.g., oncogenes) indicative of the development of intestinal dysplasia, without the need for continuous invasive testing.