Role of Image-Guided Percutaneous Needle Biopsy in the Age of Precision Medicine

Purpose of review With the remarkable progress in cancer precision medicine, the demand for biopsy has been increasing, and the role of biopsy has been changing. In this review, we discuss the current state and recent advances in the role of image-guided percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB) in facilitating precision medicine. Recent findings Biopsies are useful not only in the diagnosis of cancer and histological sub-type but also in the analysis of its molecular characteristics for targeted treatments. PNB specimens have been shown to provide high DNA yields for genomic analysis. Liquid biopsy is an emerging technology but is under development; therefore, PNB is the current standard of practice and is performed complimentarily with liquid biopsy. Summary In the age of precision medicine, interventional oncologists play a key role in optimal tissue collection for adequate genomic analysis. Effective PNB may improve its diagnostic utility and help optimize precision medicine.