Ultra-Deep Massive Parallel Sequencing of Plasma Cell-Free DNA Enables Large-Scale Profiling of Driver Mutations in Vietnamese Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• Main Authors: Le Son Tran, Quynh-Tho Thi Nguyen, Chu Van Nguyen, Vu-Uyen Tran, Thai-Hoa Thi Nguyen, Ha Thu Le, Mai-Lan Thi Nguyen, Vu Thuong Le, Lam-Son Pham, Binh Thanh Vo, Anh-Thu Huynh Dang, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Thien-Chi Van Nguyen, Hong-Anh Thi Pham, Thanh-Truong Tran, Long Hung Nguyen, Thanh-Thanh Thi Nguyen, Kim-Huong Thi Nguyen, Yen-Vi Vu, Nguyen Huu Nguyen, Vinh-Quang Bui, Hai-Ha Bui, Thanh-Thuy Thi Do, Nien Vinh Lam, Kiet Truong Dinh, Minh-Duy Phan, Hoai-Nghia Nguyen, Hoa Giang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-08-01
• Series: Frontiers in Oncology
• Subjects: liquid biopsy; circulating tumor DNA; non-small cell lung cancer; actionable mutations; ultra-deep sequencing; tissue biopsy
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2020.01351/full

Population-specific profiling of mutations in cancer genes is of critical importance for the understanding of cancer biology in general as well as the establishment of optimal diagnostics and treatment guidelines for that particular population. Although genetic analysis of tumor tissue is often used to detect mutations in cancer genes, the invasiveness and limited accessibility hinders its application in large-scale population studies. Here, we used ultra-deep massive parallel sequencing of plasma cell free DNA (cfDNA) to identify the mutation profiles of 265 Vietnamese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Compared to a cohort of advanced NSCLC patients characterized by sequencing of tissue samples, cfDNA genomic testing, despite lower mutation detection rates, was able to detect major mutations in tested driver genes that reflected similar mutation composition and distribution pattern, as well as major associations between mutation prevalence and clinical features. In conclusion, ultra-deep sequencing of plasma cfDNA represents an alternative approach for population-wide genetic profiling of cancer genes where recruitment of patients is limited to the accessibility of tumor tissue site.