In a nutshell
This study investigated if there was a relationship between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and cancer recurrence (cancer coming back) in patients with melanoma. The results found that a high NLR was a strong predictor for disease recurrence in patients with melanoma.
Some background
Neutrophil and lymphocytes are white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is used as a marker of inflammation and indicates if a patient’s body is fighting a disease.
Previous studies have shown that increased NLR is associated with decreased overall survival in patients with cancer (the length of time from either the date of diagnosis or the start of treatment, that patients are still alive) and disease free survival (survival without any signs or symptoms of that cancer), in melanoma, gastric cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. It is important to research if this NLR can be used to predict survival outcomes.
Methods & findings
This study analysed medical records from 107 patients with stage III melanoma treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, from May 2002 to March 2016. The investigators assessed disease free survival of patients with a high NLR of ≥ 2.5 (2.5 times or more neutrophils than lymphocytes) compared to patients with a low NLR of < 2.5. Researchers also repeated the analysis and included factors such as patient age, gender, and site/stage of melanoma.
60% of patients in the low NLR group received adjuvant therapy (therapy that is given in addition to the initial treatment to maximize its effectiveness) compared to 40.4% in the high NLR group. The low NLR patient group had significantly higher disease free survival rates compared to that of the high NLR group.
Patients with low NLR (< 2.5) had a significantly improved DFS. On repeat of the analysis, the results showed a greater improvement in DFS in the low NLR group.
The bottom line
The results of this study indicate that a high NLR can predict disease recurrence in stage III melanoma patients.
The fine print
This study analysed previously collected data from a small number of patients, which can affect the results.
Published By :
Scientific reports
Date :
Mar 06, 2018
