Doctors are currently exploring a new way of improving cancer treatment with a series of genetic tests.

Researchers at the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital were able to successfully improve the treatment of non-small-call lung cancer patients using the gene tests.

The fist step in the trial involves the identification of the genetic mutation which would allow the spread of cancer cell.

Then, the doctors provide the patient which the drug, which specifically targets the mutation, and disable the spreading of bad cells.

The treatment pinpoints the target bad cells, as opposed to chemotherapy, which is a more scattered approach to cancer.

"Choosing the right therapy can raise response rates [to drugs] in NSCLC patients from around 20-30 percent to 60-75 percent and may improve surival," the AFP quoted Lecia Sequist, co-led the research, as saying.

Since the test was able to improve the treatment on lunch cancer patients, the research team is now trying it out for colorectal, breast and brain cancer and leukaemia.

The trials were successful in identifying the mutations in 353 patients with cancers at their advance stages. This marks the first time gene mapping was used to treat cancer patients.

"Our study is exciting because it demonstrates that indeed it is possible today to integrate testing for multiple genetic biomarkers into a busy clinic and steer patients toward personalised therapies," Sequist said.