Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women. In 2020, there were an estimated 2.2 million new cases of lung cancer and 1.8 million deaths due to the disease. Historically, lung cancer has been more common in men, but the gap has been closing. Smoking tobacco is the leading cause of lung cancer. Survival rates for lung cancer vary greatly depending on the stage at diagnosis and other factors. Overall, the prognosis for lung cancer is often poor, with a relatively low five-year survival rate compared to some other cancers. In this work we aim to show new paths in the diagnosis of lung cancer, through the study of several mutations and proteins, mostly detected by Next-generation sequencing (NGS) which has significantly transformed our understanding of cancer, by providing high-throughput and cost-effective methods for analyzing genomic information. In the context of lung cancer, NGS has played a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of the disease, improving diagnosis and treatment, and guiding personalized medicine approaches. key points highlighting the importance of next-generation sequencing in lung cancer: Comprehensive Genomic Profiling Identification of Driver Mutations Stratification of Patients Predicting Treatment Response Monitoring Disease Progression Clinical Trials and Drug Development Early Detection and Prognosis A large meta-analysis has been done, as well as a detailed study of 86 patients diagnosed with lung cancer in the ANALIZA laboratory. In this sense the most frequently implicated mutations in this tumor have been analyzed, ALK, ROS1 and EGFR, the positions they occupy in the genes, in addition to the programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), an immune control protein, which is expressed in activated immune cells and in tumor cells, and how its identification allows us to direct treatment in a more optimal way. In summary, next-generation sequencing has revolutionized the field of lung cancer research and clinical practice. By providing detailed insights into the genomic landscape of tumors, NGS facilitates personalized treatment approaches, early detection, and ongoing monitoring, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.
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