Abstract
Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is one of the two major groups of lung cancers that can affect both smokers and non-smokers. Current research has been done recently from China and the United States to identify key gene sequences that are related in the development of NSCLC; however, the research is still novel and more can be done with a greater variety of patients. The study being proposed is genotyping lung cancer, in order to identify genetic causes of NSCLC in order to help focus treatment on specific components of the disease.
Introduction
Lung cancer is particularly tricky to treat because it is normally resistant to chemotherapy, and it is directly caused by lifestyle, such as smoking. In order to combat lung cancer, preventative measures are not enough, and there are more studies in trying to treat these diseases. There are two types of lung cancer, small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. In this paper, we will be focusing on non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. Studies trying to genotype NSCLC are still ongoing, such as the current clinical study on the NSCLC subtype Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-positive lung cancer, or ALK, gene, which is the abbreviation for done by the ALCMI (Awad, 2021).
The purpose of this study is to identify genetic changes with the ALK gene, in order to determine the changing level of drug resistance raised by certain genes. ALK is a therapeutic target, but in recent years leading up to the study, the growth of the ALK gene has continued to spike despite the usage of certain growth blocking drugs. Blood samples of those infected with lung cancer in the United States are collected and examined to identify the potential presence of the ALK gene. Another study being reviewed is by the National Center for Biotechnology Information company (NCBI), and is regarding treatment of NSCLC (Zappa, 2016). The current treatments being presented are surgeries to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and adjuvant therapy. The study suggests that testing for biomarkers will help identify leading causes in the growth of Non Small Cells relating to cancer. This will help with targeting certain genes and characteristics in order to slow the growth of the disease. The last study being reviewed is done by the TLCR, regarding the most common risk factors relating to NSCLC (Mathilakathu, 2021). In this study, this focused on both smokers and non-smokers as well as the effects of radiation on lung cancer. In all of these studies, while focusing on different aspects of non-small cell lung cancer, they point to how more research is needed in providing for specific and individualized treatments for lung cancer.
Rationale
As stated in multiple studies, NSCLC makes up the majority of lung cancer cases in the United States (Julian, 2009). Being able to identify these specific genetic mutations that lead to the disease will provide more opportunities to fight against the disease. One of the most visible limitations of all three studies is not enough access to equipment for genotyping. As the world of biotechnology increases, more opportunities to conduct experiments such as RNA sequencing and microarrays are becoming more and more available. Detecting specific causes of these genetic mutation growths will help slow the overall progression of the disease. Tracking genetic growth helps identify specific targets for therapeutic causes, and help increase susceptibility to the cancer while decreasing the spread. Finding out about which genes are most closely related to lung cancer can further extend the fight against other forms of cancer, by using the findings to detect specific pathways.
Objectives
This experiment can take place near any RNA and DNA sequencing facility. In this study, we will be identifying citizens that have Non Small Cell Lung Cancer in general to find more patterns between what makes lung cancer different and how different subtypes may have similar genetic biomarker patterns.
Methodology
We will be looking at the genetic biomarkers found during genomic sequencing (iSpecimen). Looking at those biomarkers will give us insight into where the key genes associated with lung cancer are located. Using the identified genes, we will be looking at the pathways through databases such as KeggPathway.
Discussion
This project can be correlated with the overall idea of drug targeted therapy. Being able to identify genes will help identify which specific genes are most closely related to cancer cell growth, therefore leading to the ability to stop the cell growth of certain cancerous cells, overall slowing the growth of the disease. One of the anticipated problems is the availability of genome sequencing machines. Over the past 20 years, the popularity of genomic sequencing is increasing at a steady rate. However, these increases in technology also cause lack of availability of these diseases.
Bibliography
Koga, T., & Lozekoot, P. W. J. (n.d.). Home. Translational Lung Cancer Research. https://tlcr.amegroups.com/.
Molina, J. R., Yang, P., Cassivi, S. D., Schild, S. E., & Adjei, A. A. (2008, May). Non-small cell lung cancer: Epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and survivorship. Mayo Clinic proceedings. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2718421/.
Third Street Works (Code) thirdstreetworks.com. (2021, April 26). Spacewalk study - alcmi - addario lung cancer medical institute. ALCMI. https://alcmi.net/research/spacewalk-study/.
Zappa, C., & Mousa, S. A. (2016, June). Non-small cell lung cancer: Current treatment and future advances. Translational lung cancer research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4931124/.
