Prognostic Significance of Pre-surgical Combined Platelet Count and Neutrophil–Lymphocyte Ratio for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose. The prognostic value of a new scoring system, termed F-NLR, that combines pretreatment fibrinogen level with neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio has been evaluated in various cancers. However, the results are controversial. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively analyze the prognostic value of F-NLR score in patients with cancers. Methods. An integrated search of relevant studies was conducted by screening the PubMed and Embase databases. Pooled hazard ratios, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)/progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated to estimate the prognostic significance of F-NLR score in patients with various tumors. A random effects model was used for comprehensive analysis, and subgroup and meta-regression analyses were used to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results. Thirteen articles reporting data from of 4747 patients were included in the study. Pooled analysis revealed that high F-NLR score was significantly associated with poor OS ( HR = 1.77 ; 95% CI, 1.51–2.08) and poor DFS/PFS ( HR = 1.63 ; 95% CI, 1.30–2.05). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses did not alter the prognostic role of F-NLR score in OS and DFS/PFS. Conclusions. Increased F-NLR score is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancers and can serve as an effective prognostic indicator.

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The prognostic and diagnostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective controlled study

British Journal of Cancer ◽

10.1038/s41416-021-01445-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Philip J. Johnson ◽

Sofi Dhanaraj ◽

Sarah Berhane ◽

Laura Bonnett ◽

Yuk Ting Ma

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Prognostic Factor ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Prognostic Models ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background The neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a presumed measure of the balance between neutrophil-associated pro-tumour inflammation and lymphocyte-dependent antitumour immune function, has been suggested as a prognostic factor for several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods In this study, a prospectively accrued cohort of 781 patients (493 HCC and 288 chronic liver disease (CLD) without HCC) were followed-up for more than 6 years. NLR levels between HCC and CLD patients were compared, and the effect of baseline NLR on overall survival amongst HCC patients was assessed via multivariable Cox regression analysis. Results On entry into the study (‘baseline’), there was no clinically significant difference in the NLR values between CLD and HCC patients. Amongst HCC patients, NLR levels closest to last visit/death were significantly higher compared to baseline. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that NLR was an independent prognostic factor, even after adjustment for the HCC stage. Conclusion NLR is a significant independent factor influencing survival in HCC patients, hence offering an additional dimension in prognostic models.

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