Double minute

Under Double minutes (English for " Small double " ) refers to several 100 kbp double - Chromatinstücke that can occur in tumor cells. They arise as extrachromosomal amplicons in response to the inhibition of genes by cytotoxic drugs (called chemotherapy). They usually have their own origin of replication and are thus mitrepliziert in cell division, sometimes they even have their own centromeres. Double minutes are a diagnostic tool for the assessment of Krebstadiums. The more there are, the more genes there are to be inhibited by cytotoxic drug administration and the higher the drug doses should be given, which in turn increases the side effects massively. However, they are not the direct cause of the tumor, but arise in response to tumor control.