Precision Medicine in Lung Cancer Screening: A Paradigm Shift in Early Detection-Precision Screening for Lung Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genomics
• Radiology

Background:

• Lung cancer is a leading cause of global cancer mortality, often diagnosed at late stages.
• Current low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening relies on age and smoking history, leading to limitations like overdiagnosis and underrepresentation of non-smokers.
• There is a need for more personalized lung cancer screening strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of precision medicine in transforming lung cancer screening.
• To highlight emerging tools and strategies for individualized risk assessment.
• To discuss the potential and challenges of implementing precision medicine in lung cancer prevention.

Main Methods:

• Integration of clinical, genetic, environmental, and radiological data.
• Utilizing risk prediction models, radiomics, artificial intelligence (AI), and liquid biopsies.
• Incorporating polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and molecular biomarkers for risk stratification.

Main Results:

• Precision medicine enhances screening accuracy by identifying high-risk individuals beyond conventional criteria.
• Personalized screening intervals and tailored protocols can optimize early detection.
• Emerging tools promise to extend screening benefits to broader and more diverse populations.

Conclusions:

• Precision medicine represents a paradigm shift in lung cancer prevention, moving towards tailored screening protocols.
• Implementation requires addressing challenges such as health equity, algorithmic bias, and system integration.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration and population-specific strategies are crucial for realizing the full potential of precision lung cancer screening.