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Updated: May 1, 2026
Integration of Wet and Dry Bench Processes Optimizes Targeted Next-generation Sequencing of Low-quality and Low-quantity Tumor Biopsies
Published on: April 11, 2016
Impact of tumor sequencing on the use of anticancer drugs
François Thomas1, Christine Desmedt, Philippe Aftimos
1aThomas Conseil SPRL bBreast Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Institut Jules Bordet cDepartment of Medicine, Medical Oncology Clinic, Institut Jules Bordet and Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Purpose Of Review:
Next generation sequencing (NGS) allows the rapid analysis of genomes and has brought invaluable information on cancer biology and drug targets. Laboratories have started to provide NGS data to physicians to aid in the prescription of targeted drugs. The review presents the recent clinical experience with NGS.
Recent Findings:
Clinical studies support the potential of NGS to tailor the treatment of patients to alterations in their cancer genome in a process called precision medicine. Case reports, analyses of early phase trials, and series of lung cancer patients have recently shown superior outcome for the matching of drug to specific molecular alterations. NGS is also useful to detect germline mutations associated with hereditary cancers.
Summary:
NGS and other molecular technologies are transforming the practice of medical oncology and clinical research. Sequencing of primary tumors, metastases, or blood-derived circulating tumor DNA has great potential to guide individualized cancer treatment. However, the integration of NGS as a breakthrough technology is associated with operational challenges such as information processing, medical education and interpretation, and reimbursement.
Insights
Next generation sequencing (NGS) offers valuable insights into cancer biology and drug targets. Clinical use of NGS is transforming cancer treatment through precision medicine, though challenges remain in its integration.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Next generation sequencing (NGS) rapidly analyzes genomes, providing crucial information on cancer biology and therapeutic targets.
- Laboratories are increasingly providing NGS data to clinicians to guide targeted drug prescriptions.
- NGS has emerged as a key technology in understanding cancer at a molecular level.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the recent clinical experience and applications of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in oncology.
- To highlight the role of NGS in guiding targeted cancer therapies and precision medicine.
- To discuss the impact of NGS on medical oncology practice and clinical research.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical studies and case reports involving NGS in cancer treatment.
- Analysis of early-phase trials and lung cancer patient series evaluating NGS-guided therapy.
- Examination of NGS applications in detecting both somatic and germline mutations.
Main Results:
- Clinical studies demonstrate NGS's potential to personalize cancer treatment based on genomic alterations (precision medicine).
- Matching drugs to specific molecular alterations via NGS has shown superior outcomes in lung cancer and other studies.
- NGS is effective in identifying germline mutations linked to hereditary cancer syndromes.
Conclusions:
- NGS is revolutionizing medical oncology and clinical research by enabling individualized cancer treatment.
- Sequencing of tumors (primary, metastatic, or circulating DNA) holds significant promise for guiding patient care.
- Operational challenges, including data processing, medical education, interpretation, and reimbursement, must be addressed for widespread NGS integration.
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