High throughput sequencing technology and its clinical application in circulating tumor DNA detection in patients with tumors.

The high-throughput sequencing (HTS) is now a highly favoured technology in the field of genome research. A distinctive feature of this sequenc-ing method is its data-yielding capability, which is capable of generating more than 100 times than the first-generation Sanger sequencing platform. HTS technology has been widely adopted for its advantages, including high through-put, sensitivity, automaticity, information density and cost-effectiveness. Not only does it help in the treatment and diagnosis of multiple diseases, but it also provides new insights into the research in molecular biology of tumors. Moreover, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tests based on HTS technology are increasingly extensively implemented for clinical purposes. In this review, we will focus on the significant achievements and performances of the HTS, and first-hand data from extensive experience will be summarized and analyzed to discuss the advantages and specifics associated with each sequencing system and further summarize the characteristics of their clinical applications.