Liquid Biopsy — A Novel Diagnostic Tool for Management of Early-Stage Peripheral Lung Cancer

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis of lung cancer is hampered by the absence of specific symptoms and the lack of a widely recognised cost-effective screening programme. Acquisition of a tumour tissue sample for morphological and molecular genetic examination is of paramount importance for cancer diagnosis. We describe diagnostic challenges for early-stage lung cancer and their possible current solutions. Liquid biopsy is a relatively new technology that was developed for evaluation of tumour-related circulating genetic material. Recent achievements in data processing provide more opportunities for wider implementation of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in clinical practice. This article summarises available data on the current and future role of liquid biopsy in the management of lung cancer. We also present an ongoing Latvian lung cancer study that focuses on integration of liquid biopsy with comprehensive clinical data utilising advantages of information technologies.

Liquid Biopsy in the Clinical Management of Cancers

“…Healthcare providers can ensure accurate, reproducible, and clinically relevant liquid biopsy results by following established guidelines and protocols [36]. Additionally, standardizing approaches facilitates the sharing of data, collaboration, and integration of liquid biopsy into routine clinical practice [62,86].…”