Prediction of Immune-Checkpoint Blockade Monotherapy Response in Patients with Melanoma Based on Easily Accessible Clinical Indicators

Abstract Background: Immune checkpoint blocker (ICB) has shown significant clinical activity in melanoma. However, there are no clinically approved biomarkers to aid patient selection. We aimed to identify patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma who are likely to benefit from ICB monotherapy using easily accessible clinical indicators. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 134 patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma who received ICB monotherapy between 2014 and 2018. Prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined using Cox regression analysis. Results: During the median follow-up of 13.7 months, the median OS and PFS were 18.4 and 3.4 months, respectively. Visceral/central nervous system (CNS) metastasis (OS: adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 1.82; p=.014; PFS: HR, 1.59; p=.024), lymphopenia (<1000 cells/µL) within 3 months (OS: HR, 1.89, p=.006; PFS: HR, 1.70; p=.010), and elevated baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (OS: HR, 2.61; p<.001; PFS: HR, 2.66; p<.001) were independent prognostic factors for both poor OS and PFS. Development of immune-related adverse events (irAE; e.g., hypothyroidism or vitiligo) within 6 months showed a trend toward better OS in multivariate analysis (HR, 0.37; p=.058). Patients with normal LDH levels and no visceral/CNS metastasis had a substantially better OS than the others (median, 40.4 vs. 13.6 months; p<.001). Among others, patients who developed irAE within 6 months achieved long-term OS (median, 43.6 vs. 13.1 months; p=.008). A decision tree was suggested using four risk factors, and the risk stratification provided significant distinction between the survival curves. Conclusion: The four easily accessible clinical indicators associated with better treatment outcomes after ICB monotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma were LDH level, the extent of disease, lymphopenia, and irAE. The combined use of these indicators can be clinically useful in improving risk stratification of patients treated with ICB monotherapy.

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Prediction of Immune-Checkpoint Blockade Monotherapy Response in Patients With Melanoma Based on Easily Accessible Clinical Indicators

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.659754 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Hwa Kyung Byun ◽

Jee Suk Chang ◽

Minkyu Jung ◽

Woong Sub Koom ◽

Kee Yang Chung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prognostic Factors ◽

Risk Stratification ◽

Metastatic Melanoma ◽

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Clinical Activity ◽

Clinical Indicators ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Cns Metastasis

BackgroundImmune checkpoint blocker (ICB) has shown significant clinical activity in melanoma. However, there are no clinically approved biomarkers to aid patient selection. We aimed to identify patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma who are likely to benefit from ICB monotherapy using easily accessible clinical indicators.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 134 patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma who received ICB monotherapy between 2014 and 2018. Prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were determined using Cox regression analysis.ResultsDuring the median follow-up of 13.7 months, the median OS and PFS were 18.4 and 3.4 months, respectively. Visceral/central nervous system (CNS) metastasis (OS: adjusted hazards ratio [HR], 1.82; p=.014; PFS: HR, 1.59; p=.024), lymphopenia (<1000 cells/µL) within 3 months (OS: HR, 1.89, p=.006; PFS: HR, 1.70; p=.010), and elevated baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (OS: HR, 2.61; p<.001; PFS: HR, 2.66; p<.001) were independent prognostic factors for both poor OS and PFS. Development of immune-related adverse events (irAE; e.g., hypothyroidism or vitiligo) within 6 months showed a trend toward better OS in multivariable analysis (HR, 0.37; p=.058). Patients with normal LDH levels and no visceral/CNS metastasis had a substantially better OS than the others (median, 40.4 vs. 13.6 months; p<.001). Among others, patients who developed irAE within 6 months achieved long-term OS (median, 43.6 vs. 13.1 months; p=.008). A decision tree was suggested using four risk factors, and the risk stratification provided significant distinction between the survival curves.ConclusionThe four easily accessible clinical indicators associated with better treatment outcomes after ICB monotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma were LDH level, the extent of disease, lymphopenia, and irAE. The combined use of these indicators can be clinically useful in improving risk stratification of patients treated with ICB monotherapy.

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Digital Quantification of Tumor PD-L1 Predicts Outcome of PD-1-Based Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.741993 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Jan-Malte Placke ◽

Camille Soun ◽

Jenny Bottek ◽

Rudolf Herbst ◽

Patrick Terheyden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metastatic Melanoma ◽

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Predictive Biomarkers ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽

Therapy Outcome ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Pre Treatment ◽

Digital Quantification

BackgroundPD-1-based immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is a highly effective therapy in metastatic melanoma. However, 40-60% of patients are primarily resistant, with valid predictive biomarkers currently missing. This study investigated the digitally quantified tumor PD-L1 expression for ICB therapy outcome prediction.Patients and MethodsTumor tissues taken prior to PD-1-based ICB for unresectable metastatic disease were collected within the prospective multicenter Tissue Registry in Melanoma (TRIM). PD-L1 expression (clone 28-8; cut-off=5%) was determined by digital and physician quantification, and correlated with therapy outcome (best overall response, BOR; progression-free survival, PFS; overall survival, OS).ResultsTissue samples from 156 patients were analyzed (anti-PD-1, n=115; anti-CTLA-4+anti-PD-1, n=41). Patients with PD-L1-positive tumors showed an improved response compared to patients with PD-L1-negative tumors, by digital (BOR 50.5% versus 32.2%; p=0.026) and physician (BOR 54.2% versus 36.6%; p=0.032) quantification. Tumor PD-L1 positivity was associated with a prolonged PFS and OS by either digital (PFS, 9.9 versus 4.6 months, p=0.021; OS, not reached versus 13.0 months, p=0.001) or physician (PFS, 10.6 versus 5.6 months, p=0.051; OS, not reached versus 15.6 months, p=0.011) quantification. Multivariable Cox regression revealed digital (PFS, HR=0.57, p=0.007; OS, HR=0.44, p=0.001) and physician (OS, HR=0.54, p=0.016) PD-L1 quantification as independent predictors of survival upon PD-1-based ICB. The combination of both methods identified a patient subgroup with particularly favorable therapy outcome (PFS, HR=0.53, p=0.011; OS, HR=0.47, p=0.008).ConclusionPre-treatment tumor PD-L1 positivity predicted a favorable outcome of PD-1-based ICB in melanoma. Herein, digital quantification was not inferior to physician quantification, and should be further validated for clinical use.

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LAG-3 expression on peripheral blood cells identifies patients with poorer outcomes after immune checkpoint blockade

Science Translational Medicine ◽

10.1126/scitranslmed.abf5107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (608) ◽

pp. eabf5107

Author(s):

Ronglai Shen ◽

Michael A. Postow ◽

Matthew Adamow ◽

Arshi Arora ◽

Margaret Hannum ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽

Checkpoint Blockade ◽

Clinical Activity ◽

Multiparametric Flow Cytometry ◽

Mutation Burden ◽

Blocking Antibodies

Immune checkpoint blocking antibodies are a cornerstone in cancer treatment; however, they benefit only a subset of patients and biomarkers to guide immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment choices are lacking. We designed this study to identify blood-based correlates of clinical outcome in ICB-treated patients. We performed immune profiling of 188 ICB-treated patients with melanoma using multiparametric flow cytometry to characterize immune cells in pretreatment peripheral blood. A supervised statistical learning approach was applied to a discovery cohort to classify phenotypes and determine their association with survival and treatment response. We identified three distinct immune phenotypes (immunotypes), defined in part by the presence of a LAG-3+CD8+ T cell population. Patients with melanoma with a LAG+ immunotype had poorer outcomes after ICB with a median survival of 22.2 months compared to 75.8 months for those with the LAG− immunotype (P = 0.031). An independent cohort of 94 ICB-treated patients with urothelial carcinoma was used for validation where LAG+ immunotype was significantly associated with response (P = 0.007), survival (P < 0.001), and progression-free survival (P = 0.004). Multivariate Cox regression and stratified analyses further showed that the LAG+ immunotype was an independent marker of outcome when compared to known clinical prognostic markers and previously described markers for the clinical activity of ICB, PD-L1, and tumor mutation burden. The pretreatment peripheral blood LAG+ immunotype detects patients who are less likely to benefit from ICB and suggests a strategy for identifying actionable immune targets for further investigation.

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Identification of Robust Immune‐Associated lncRNAs Signature for Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Prognosis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

10.21203/rs.3.rs-113463/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Qianhui Xu ◽

Yuxin Wang ◽

Wen Huang

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽

Risk Score ◽

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽

Checkpoint Blockade ◽

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽

The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽

Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽

Cox Regression Analysis

Abstract Background: An increasing body of evidence has suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can serve as essential regulators in cancer immunity. We aimed to establish a robust immune-associated lncRNA signature for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) outcome prediction to enhance prognostic accuracy.Methods: Pancreatic cancer samples were obtained from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. Immune‐related lncRNAs displaying significant association with overall survival (OS) were screened through univariate Cox regression analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm. The prediction reliability was further estimated in the internal validation set and combination set. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of the lncRNA model risk score was performed for functional annotation. The correlation between immune checkpoint inhibitors and this signature was examined. Results: 5 immune-related lncRNAs were confirmed to establish five‐immune-related lncRNAs prognostic signature. The constructed risk model showed significant correlation with PDAC OS. The area under the curve (AUC) for this lncRNA model was up to 0.747. This immune‐related lncRNA signature was correlated with disease progression and worse survival and was an independent prognostic biomarker. Our signature mediated chondrocyte development, laminin binding and so forth. This risk score model was associated with immune cell infiltration (i.e., CD4 T cells, etc.,) and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) immunotherapy‐related molecules (i.e., PDCD1 and CTLA4).Conclusion: The immune‐related lncRNA signature we established possesses latent prognostic value for patients with PDAC and may have the potential to measure the response to ICB immunotherapy, which could guide for immunological treatment in PDAC.

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Identification of Prognostic RBPs in Osteosarcoma

Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment ◽

10.1177/15330338211004918 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 153303382110049

Author(s):

Bei Li ◽

Long Fang ◽

Baolong Wang ◽

Zengkun Yang ◽

Tingbao Zhao

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Prognostic Factors ◽

Differential Expression ◽

Ribosome Biogenesis ◽

Rna Binding ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Rna Binding Proteins ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

Differential Expression Analysis ◽

Cox Regression Analysis

Osteosarcoma often occurs in children and adolescents and causes poor prognosis. The role of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in malignant tumors has been elucidated in recent years. Our study aims to identify key RBPs in osteosarcoma that could be prognostic factors and treatment targets. GSE33382 dataset was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. RBPs extraction and differential expression analysis was performed. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed to explore the biological function of differential expression RBPs. Moreover, we constructed Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and obtained key modules. Key RBPs were identified by univariate Cox regression analysis and multiple stepwise Cox regression analysis combined with the clinical information from Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) database. Risk score model was generated and validated by GSE16091 dataset. A total of 38 differential expression RBPs was identified. Go and KEGG results indicated these RBPs were significantly involved in ribosome biogenesis and mRNA surveillance pathway. COX regression analysis showed DDX24, DDX21, WARS and IGF2BP2 could be prognostic factors in osteosarcoma. Spearman’s correlation analysis suggested that WARS might be important in osteosarcoma immune infiltration. In conclusion, DDX24, DDX21, WARS and IGF2BP2 might play key role in osteosarcoma, which could be therapuetic targets for osteosarcoma treatment.

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Prognostic values, ceRNA network, and immune regulation function of SDPR in KRAS-mutant lung cancer

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-01756-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiaoqing Luo ◽

Shunli Peng ◽

Sijie Ding ◽

Qin Zeng ◽

Rong Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lung Cancer ◽

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Tissue Array ◽

Lung Cancers ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Immune Checkpoint Molecules ◽

Cerna Network ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Infiltration Models

Abstract Background Serum Deprivation Protein Response (SDPR) plays an important role in formation of pulmonary alveoli. However, the functions and values of SDPR in lung cancer remain unknown. We explored prognostic value, expression pattern, and biological function of SDPR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and KRAS-mutant lung cancers. Methods SDPR expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and Western blot on human NSCLC cells, lung adenocarcinoma tissue array, KRAS-mutant transgenic mice, TCGA and GEO datasets. Prognostic values of SDPR were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis. Bioinformatics implications of SDPR including SDPR-combined transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs were predicted. In addition, correlations between SDPR, immune checkpoint molecules, and tumor infiltration models were illustrated. Results SDPR expression was downregulated in tumor cells and tissues. Low SDPR expression was an independent factor that correlated with shorter overall survival of patients both in lung cancer and KRAS-mutant subgroups. Meanwhile, ceRNA network was constructed to clarify the regulatory and biological functions of SDPR. Negative correlations were found between SDPR and immune checkpoint molecules (PD-L1, TNFRSF18, TNFRSF9, and TDO2). Moreover, diversity immune infiltration models were observed in NSCLC with different SDPR expression and copy number variation (CNV) patterns. Conclusions This study elucidated regulation network of SDPR in KRAS-mutant NSCLC, and it illustrated correlations between low SDPR expression and suppressed immune system, unfolding a prognostic factor and potential target for the treatment of lung cancer, especially for KRAS-mutant NSCLC.

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IMMU-09. CONCURRENT DEXAMETHASONE LIMITS THE CLINICAL BENEFIT OF IMMUNE CHECKPOINT BLOCKADE IN GLIOBLASTOMA

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.440 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii106-ii106

Author(s):

Bryan Iorgulescu ◽

Prafulla Gokhale ◽

Maria Speranza ◽

Benjamin Eschle ◽

Michael Poitras ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prognostic Factors ◽

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Nk Cell ◽

Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽

Checkpoint Blockade ◽

Innate Immune Responses ◽

Dose Dependent Fashion ◽

Dexamethasone Therapy ◽

Clinical Correlate ◽

Dose Dependent

Abstract BACKGROUND Dexamethasone, a uniquely potent corticosteroid, is frequently administered to brain tumor patients to decrease tumor-associated edema, but limited data exist describing how dexamethasone affects the immune system systemically and intratumorally in glioblastoma patients – particularly in the context of immunotherapy. METHODS We evaluated the dose-dependent effects of dexamethasone when administered with anti-PD-1 and/or radiotherapy in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice with syngeneic GL261 or CT-2A glioblastoma tumors, including analyses of intracranial tumors, draining lymph nodes, and spleen. Clinically, the effect of dexamethasone on survival was additionally evaluated in 181 consecutive IDH-wildtype glioblastoma patients treated with anti-PD-(L)1, with adjustment for relevant prognostic factors. RESULTS Despite the inherent responsiveness of GL261 to immune checkpoint blockade, concurrent dexamethasone administration with anti-PD-1 therapy decreased survival in a dose-dependent fashion and decreased survival following anti-PD-1 plus radiotherapy in both GL261 and immunoresistant CT-2A models. Dexamethasone quantitatively decreased T lymphocytes by reducing the proliferation while increasing apoptosis. Dexamethasone also decreased lymphocyte functional capacity. Myeloid and NK cell populations were also generally reduced. Thus, dexamethasone negatively affects both the adaptive and innate immune responses. As a clinical correlate, a retrospective analysis of 181 consecutive IDH-wildtype glioblastoma patients treated with PD-(L)1 blockade revealed worse survival among those on baseline dexamethasone. Upon multivariable adjustment with relevant prognostic factors, baseline dexamethasone use – regardless of dose – was the strongest predictor of poor survival (reference no dexamethasone; < 2mg HR 2.28, 95%CI=1.41–3.68, p=0.001; ≥2mg HR 1.97, 95%CI=1.27–3.07, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS Our preclinical and clinical data indicate that concurrent dexamethasone therapy may be detrimental to immunotherapeutic approaches for glioblastoma patients. Our preclinical analyses also suggest that dexamethasone’s detrimental effects are dose-dependent, suggesting that the lowest possible dose should be used for patients when dexamethasone use is unavoidable. Careful evaluation of dexamethasone use is warranted for neuro-oncology patients undergoing immunotherapy clinical trials.

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FRI0248 PROGNOSTIC FACTORS FOR STEROID-FREE REMISSION IN PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES: IMPORTANCE OF ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.3010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 708.1-708

Author(s):

J. S. Lee ◽

S. H. Nam ◽

S. J. Choi ◽

W. J. Seo ◽

S. Hong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prognostic Factors ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies ◽

Inflammatory Myopathies ◽

Immunosuppressant Therapy ◽

Muscle Enzymes ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Early Use

Background:Several studies have been conducted on factors associated with mortality in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), but few studies have assessed prognostic factors for steroid-free remission in IIM.Objectives:We investigated the various clinical factors, including body measurements, that affect IIM treatment outcomes.Methods:Patients who were newly diagnosed with IIM between 2000 and 2018 were included. Steroid-free remission was defined as at least three months of normalisation of muscle enzymes and no detectable clinical disease activity. The factors associated with steroid-free remission were evaluated by a Cox regression analysis.Results:Of the 106 IIM patients, 35 displayed steroid-free remission during follow-up periods. In the multivariable Cox regression analyses, immunosuppressants’ early use within one month after diagnosis [hazard ratio (HR) 6.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.61–14.74, p < 0.001] and sex-specific height quartiles (second and third quartiles versus first quartile, HR 3.65, 95% CI 1.40–9.51, p = 0.008 and HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.13–7.32, p = 0.027, respectively) were positively associated with steroid-free remission. Polymyositis versus dermatomyositis (HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09–0.53, p = 0.001), presence of dysphagia (HR 0.15, CI 0.05–0.50, p = 0.002) and highest versus lowest quartile of waist circumference (WC) (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07–0.85, p = 0.027) were negatively associated with steroid-free remission.Conclusion:The early initiation of immunosuppressant therapy, type of myositis and presence of dysphagia are strong predictors of steroid-free remission in IIM; moreover, height and WC measurements at baseline may provide additional important prognostic value.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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A nomogram based on pretreatment levels of serum bilirubin and total bile acid levels predicts survival in colorectal cancer patients

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-07805-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yinghao Cao ◽

Shenghe Deng ◽

Lizhao Yan ◽

Junnan Gu ◽

Jia Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Prognostic Factors ◽

Bile Acid ◽

Bile Acids ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Serum Bilirubin ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Total Bile Acid ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract Background Serum bilirubin and total bile acid (TBA) levels have been reported to be strongly associated with the risk and prognosis of certain cancers. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of pretreatment levels of serum bilirubin and bile acids on the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods A retrospective cohort of 1474 patients with CRC who underwent surgical resection between January 2015 and December 2017 was included in the study. Survival analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of pretreatment levels of bilirubin and bile acids. X-Tile software was used to identify optimal cut-off values for total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL) and TBA in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results DBIL, TBIL, and TBA were validated as significant prognostic factors by univariate Cox regression analysis for both 3-year OS and DFS. Multivariate Cox regression analyses confirmed that high DBIL, TBIL and TBA levels were independent prognostic factors for both OS (HR: 0.435, 95% CI: 0.299–0.637, P < 0.001; HR: 0.436, 95% CI: 0.329–0.578, P < 0.001; HR: 0.206, 95% CI: 0.124–0.341, P < 0.001, respectively) and DFS (HR: 0.583, 95% CI: 0.391–0.871, P = 0.008; HR:0.437,95% CI: 0.292–0.655, P <0.001; HR: 0.634, 95% CI: 0.465–0.865, P = 0.004, respectively). In addition, nomograms for OS and DFS were established according to all significant factors, and the c-indexes were 0.819 (95% CI: 0.806–0.832) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.822–0.849), respectively. Conclusions TBIL, DBIL and TBA levels are independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer patients. The nomograms based on OS and DFS can be used as a practical model for evaluating the prognosis of CRC patients.

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