How is Genomic Testing Enhancing Lung Cancer Treatments?

Over the last few years, genomic testing techniques have given high hopes to patients suffering from lung cancer.

Genomic testing refers to the study of a tumor, which allows the researchers and experts to analyze cancerous cells, understand the accurate reason behind cancer, and identify the possible mutation of the cancer type.

These techniques have completely changed the way lung cancer is analyzed and treated. They allow the healthcare experts to understand the genetic changes taking place in the tumor cells that can be treated using targeted therapies.

What role do genes play in lung cancer?

When the cells inside the lungs are altered and start growing as cancerous cells, it leads to lung cancer.

Cancerous cells can multiply at an uncontrollable speed and invade distant and nearby body organs quickly. The primary reason behind such changes taking place in cancerous cells is the harmful mutations of the genes in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the lung cells.

When these mutated cells start to multiply, the newly formed cells get the same harmful mutations in them.Mutations generally occur when the cells are exposed to different toxins or when the body makes an error during cell division.

The two common types of mutations responsible for causing cancer are passenger and driver mutations.

Driver genes follow a direct process of entering the cells, known as oncogenesis, by which cancer starts developing in the body. Once cancer starts spreading in the body, the mutated genes begin fueling the development of the cancerous cells.

Market Overview of Lung Cancer Genomic Testing

Genomic testing is utilized for several activities related to lung cancer, such as clinical research and molecular examination of different genetic mutations present in the patients.

The constant growth and evolution of genetic testing for lung cancer are constantly advancing the treatment and diagnosis methods of lung cancer.

According to a BIS Research report, the lung cancer genomic testing market is expected to grow from $1,262.0 million in 2020 to $3,279.8 million by 2031, with a CAGR of 8.97% during the forecasted period 2021–2031.

The primary factors that drive the market growth are rising adoption and awareness of genomic testing for lung cancer, recent developments in targeted therapies, and increasing research on lung cancer.

During the outbreak of COVID-19, several countries were under partial or complete lockdown, which halted all elective procedures and surgeries in the healthcare sector.

Since the genomic testing comes under elective procedures, an adverse impact of COVID-19 could be observed on the lung cancer genomic testing.

Working of Genomic Testing

Genomic testing procedures check for mutations or changes in the DNA of the patients, which allows the doctors and healthcare experts to develop the right treatment plans for various diseases such as lung cancer.

With the help of genetic testing, experts can check such changes taking place in the lung cells that may lead to the growth of cancer in the human body. These changes in the lung cells are also known as biomarkers.

Identifying these biomarkers helps doctors understand the best possible treatment options that can positively impact lung cancer surgeries.

These target therapy procedures are less invasive in comparison to conventional cancer therapy options as they do not affect the healthy cells and stop the cancerous cells from reproducing and growing.

Methods of Lung Cancer Genomic Testing

There are two common genetic tests performed for lung cancer- tissue biopsy and blood testing. The tests involve either taking a blood sample or tissue sample of the patients, respectively.

· Tissue Biopsy

Tissue biopsy is the standard method used by healthcare experts for getting a sample of blood or tissue for genetic testing.

· Blood Testing

The healthcare experts use the blood testing method to check the presence of cancerous cells in the patient’s blood. This method also allows the scanning of different genetic mutations.

Benefits of Blood Testing:

· It reduces the chances of infection risk or any complications related to tissue biopsy.

· It offers better alternative options if the cancerous tumor is present in an area that is hard to access.

· It allows the healthcare experts to easily compare various samples and determine the best treatment options.

Conclusion

Without genomic testing, choosing the right treatment option for lung cancer would have been much more challenging. Genomic testing helps doctors understand different mutations associated with the presence of cancer in a better manner.

The research in targeted therapies for cancer treatment is constantly improving the treatment outcomes and options for people suffering from lung cancer.

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