Review Liquid Biopsy Analysis in Clinical Practice: Focus on Lung Cancer Pasquale Pisapia 1 , Francesco Pepe 1, Antonino Iaccarino 1, Roberta Sgariglia 1, Mariantonia Nacchio 1, Gianluca Russo 1 , Gianluca Gragnano 1, Elalah Mosaieby 2, Giancarlo Troncone 1,* and Umberto Malapelle 1 1 Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
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[email protected] Abstract: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite the emergence of highly effective targeted therapies, up to 30% of advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients do not undergo tissue molecular testing because of scarce tissue availability. Liquid biopsy, on the other hand, offers these patients a valuable opportunity to receive the best treatment options in a timely manner. Indeed, besides being much faster and less invasive than conventional tissue- based analysis, it can also yield specific information about the genetic make-up and evolution of patients’ tumors. However, several issues, including lack of standardized protocols for sample collection, processing, and interpretation, still need to be addressed before liquid biopsy can be Citation: Pisapia, P.; Pepe, F.; fully incorporated into routine oncology practice. Here, we reviewed the most important challenges Iaccarino, A.; Sgariglia, R.; Nacchio, hindering the implementation of liquid biopsy in oncology practice, as well as the great advantages M.; Russo, G.; Gragnano, G.; Mosaieby, E.; Troncone, G.; Malapelle, of this approach for the treatment of NSCLC patients.