Faculty Collaboration Database

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a Western perspective. J Surg Oncol 2014 Feb;109(2):95-7

Date

10/15/2013

Pubmed ID

24122764

DOI

10.1002/jso.23448

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84892938594 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   37 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is simple, inexpensive, and has been proposed to be predictive in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Europe and Asia. We aimed to evaluate whether NLR at presentation in a Western center provides any prognostic value compared to other common prognostic scores.

METHODS: NLR was calculated for 75 consecutive patients at presentation with HCC and regression models were used to analyze its value for predicting treatment strategy and short-term survival with Child-Pugh and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD).

RESULTS: NLR was not predictive of future treatment regimens with hepatectomy, liver transplant, or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE; odds ratio [OR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-1.02, P = 0.079) as compared the predictive value of MELD (OR: 0.81, CI: 0.72-0.93, P = 0.002) or Child-Pugh (OR: 0.48, CI: 0.34-0.69, P < 0.001). Adding additional adjustment for treatment, NLR did not correlate with short-term overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.09, CI: 0.95-1.24, P = 0.227). MELD also did not correlate with overall survival (HR: 1.04, CI: 0.96-1.13, P = 0.357) whereas Child-Pugh (HR: 1.56, CI: 1.10-2.19, P = 0.011) was predictive.

CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support the prognostic value of NLR to guide therapy for HCC in a Western center, whereas MELD and Child-Pugh score were more predictive.

Author List

Sullivan KM, Groeschl RT, Turaga KK, Tsai S, Christians KK, White SB, Rilling WS, Pilgrim CH, Gamblin TC

Authors

Kathleen K. Christians MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Thomas Clark Gamblin MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
William S. Rilling MD, FSIR Vice Chair, Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Sarah B. White MD, MS, FSIR, FCIRSE Associate Dean, Assistant Provost, Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Female
Humans
Liver Neoplasms
Lymphocyte Count
Lymphocytes
Male
Middle Aged
Neutrophils
Prognosis
Severity of Illness Index
Young Adult