Advances and challenges in circulating tumor DNA-based early detection of lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The primary reason for this poor prognosis is late-stage diagnosis, as approximately 50% of lung cancer cases are detected at stage 4 when curative treatment is no longer an option, and the 5-year survival of this stage is approximately 15%. While low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has significantly improved early detection, its high false-positive rate (60-70%) leads to unnecessary invasive procedures and patient anxiety. Therefore, a complementary, highly specific, and non-invasive biomarker is urgently needed. Liquid biopsy, particularly circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis, has emerged as a promising diagnostic tool for lung cancer screening. Unlike conventional tissue biopsies, ctDNA-based tests provide a

SUBMITTER: Yoon JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12605629 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature