A recently released study by Italian scientists has made the cover of one of the world's most prominent scientific magazines. According to recent research, the driving force underlying tumor aggressiveness may be hidden in microscopic DNA rings that grow outside of chromosomes and help cancer cells to evolve more quickly. This is according to a study led by the Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), with the participation of the Center for Genomic Science at the Italian Institute of Technology in Milan, published in the scientific journal Molecular Cell and also chosen for the issue's cover. The research is fundamentally concerned with extrachromosomal circular DNA, which are small DNA molecules that separate from chromosomes to form ring-like structures. The significant new revelation is that these little DNA fragments can result from even minor and frequent damage, which is far more prevalent than previously imagined. The practical significance is substantial: the initial step in the development of novel treatment strategies is to comprehend the mechanisms by which tumors become more aggressive and resistant to therapies.