Power and Promise of Next-Generation Sequencing in Liquid Biopsies and Cancer Control

Abstract

Traditional methods of cancer treatment are usually based on the morphological and histological diagnosis of tumors, and they are not optimized according to the specific situation. Precision medicine adjusts the existing treatment regimen based on the patient’s genomic information to make it most suitable for patients. Detection of genetic mutations in tumors is the basis of precise cancer medicine. Through the analysis of genetic mutations in patients with cancer, we can tailor the treatment plan for each patient with cancer to maximize the curative effect, minimize damage to healthy tissues, and optimize resources. In recent years, next-generation sequencing technology has developed rapidly and has become the core technology of precise targeted therapy and immunotherapy for cancer. From early cancer screening to treatment guidance for patients with advanced cancer, liquid biopsy is increasingly used in cancer management. This is as a result of the development of better noninvasive, repeatable, sensitive, and accurate tools used in early screening, diagnosis, evaluation, and monitoring of patients. Cell-free DNA, which is a new noninvasive molecular pathological detection method, often carries tumor-specific gene changes. It plays an important role in optimizing treatment and evaluating the efficacy of different treatment options in clinical trials, and it has broad clinical applications.

Liquid biopsies: the future of cancer early detection

“…However, many existing liquid biopsies with a focus on early cancer detection lack the sensitivity required for reliable detection of early stage cancers [ 11 ]. For example, tumor derived genetic biomarkers are not always shed into the blood stream in early stages, and even when they are shed in to the bloodstream, they exist at very low concentrations [ 12 , 13 ]. Cancer protein biomarkers such as prostate specific antigen (PSA) and carcinoma antigen-125 (CA-125) are often not elevated in cancer patients, even in those with advanced cancer [ 14 ].…”

CRISPR/Cas9 and next generation sequencing in the personalized treatment of Cancer

“…Four of the mutant versions like SLC3A2, KIAA0368, CADPS2, and CTSB were targeted using tumor infiltrated lymphocytes [39]. Thus, this study served as an example that the genomic information of tumors detected by NGS can be used to identify patients who may respond to immunotherapy methods to induce the body's immune system to attack and treat tumors [40].…”

“…These variations in the mutation can be identified with the help of NGS, thus making it easier to classify the cancer subtype [41]. NGS has boosted the discovery of unknown genes that may be linked to improved treatment response and the development of drug resistance [40].…”

Assessment of Resistance Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Patients with KRAS Mutated-Metastatic Breast Cancer and Resistance to CDK4/6 Inhibitors

“…Blood-based liquid biopsy, as an alternative to tumor biopsy, might improve the management of patients with mBC, as numerous studies have demonstrated its usefulness for cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and interestingly for the prediction of response or resistance to administered therapeutics [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”