KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The study aimed to investigate the impact of pretreatment NLR and PCT on PFS in extensive-stage SCLC patients.
- Researchers noted that pretreatment PCT emerges as an independent prognostic factor for PFS in extensive-stage SCLC patients.
This study aimed to investigate the influence of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and procalcitonin (PCT) on progression-free survival (PFS) in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients.
Dongfang Chen and the team aimed to assess the prognostic value of these biomarkers in guiding treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers performed an inclusive analysis involving 100 extensive-stage SCLC patients. Patients were categorized based on the median values of pretreatment NLR and PCT levels: low NLR group (NLR ≤3.17), high NLR group (NLR >3.17), low PCT group (PCT ≤0.06 ng/ml), and high PCT group (PCT >0.06 ng/ml). The prognostic effects of pretreatment NLR and PCT on PFS were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox regression model.
The median PFS of extensive-stage SCLC patients was 6.0 months. Analysis showed no significant difference in median PFS between patients with low pretreatment (NLR ≤3.17) and high pretreatment NLR (6.2 months vs 5.8 months; P = .675). However, patients with low pretreatment (PCT ≤0.06 ng/ml) exhibited significantly better PFS compared to those with high pretreatment PCT (6.9 months vs 5.7 months; P = .043). Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified response to first-line (1L) chemotherapy (P ≤ .001) and pretreatment PCT (HR = 0.516; 95%CI 0.326-0.817; P = .005) as independent factors associated with PFS.
The study concluded that pretreatment PCT emerges as an independent factor associated with PFS in extensive-stage SCLC patients treated with 1L chemotherapy. However, the pretreatment NLR does not demonstrate significant prognostic value in this study.
The study received no funds.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38536706/
Chen D, Xu J, Zhao Y, et al. (2024). “Prognostic value of pretreatment procalcitonin and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.” Cancer Biol Ther. 2024 Dec 31;25(1):2331273. doi: 10.1080/15384047.2024.2331273. Epub 2024 Mar 27. PMID: 38536706; PMCID: PMC10978019.
