How Can Next-Generation Sequencing (Genomics) Help Us in Treating Colorectal Cancer?

Next generation sequencing methods have exponentially increased the amount of genomic information available to scientists and clinicians. This review will explain the evolution of tumor gene sequencing and identify its potential to accelerate therapeutic progress by using colorectal cancer to illustrate the benefits of this type of analysis. A milestone in sequencing occurred when The Cancer Genome Atlas investigators characterized the genomes of 276 colorectal cancer samples, with the resulting information expected to provide future clinical applications and help to guide the treatment of colorectal cancer. Data regarding colorectal cancer mutational frequencies, prognostic and predictive biomarker usefulness, and signaling pathway alterations are emerging from various next generation sequencing platforms. Next generation sequencing methods are also enhancing our understanding of the causes and consequences of both the chromosomal instability and microsatellite instability pathways, as well as expanding our knowledge of the origins of familial colorectal cancer. Limitations to next generation sequencing methods include the need for storage and analysis of massive quantities of data, as well as assurance that the data is of the highest possible quality. However, this genomic technology carries with it the potential to revolutionize our treatment of colorectal cancer patients through better understanding of the underlying disease biology and subsequent development and application of therapeutic approaches targeting the genetic abnormalities specific to individual malignancies.