Abstract: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming increasingly important in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Following the widespread application of NGS in companion diagnostics, liquid biopsy based on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is now rapidly advancing, and it has been proven to be a promising method in early screening of cancer and post-surgery minimal residual disease (MRD) detection. This review introduces the latest NGS applications and advances relating to cancer clinical intervention and research, and discusses its current clinical value and future prospects.