Inflammatory cell ratios predict major septic complications following rectal cancer surgery

Clinical Significance of Blood Cell-Derived Inflammation Markers in Assessing Potential Early and Late Postoperative Complications in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and oncological treatments, postoperative complications remain a significant challenge, affecting both immediate recovery and long-term survival. Systemic inflammation has been identified as a critical factor influencing cancer progression and postoperative outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the clinical significance of blood cell-derived inflammatory markers in predicting early and late postoperative complications in CRC patients. Methods: We included studies involving adult patients (≥18 years) with histologically confirmed colorectal cancer, for whom elective radical surgery was performed, as well as at least one of the considered blood-based inflammatory biomarkers (NLR, PLR, SII, or LMR) documented in relation to outcomes. Results: After removing duplicates, 19 studies published between 2016 and 2025 were included in the qualitative analysis. A total of 7023 patients who underwent elective curative surgery for colorectal cancer were analyzed, with mean age varying widely between 47.3 and 74.6 years. Preoperative NLR values were significantly correlated with severe complications, IAI, AL, and overall complications in 13 out of 19 studies (68.4%), with a cutoff value between 2.21 and 4, while early postoperative NLR values were predictive for AL. Late postoperative complications, such as recurrence and overall survival, were also associated with elevated preoperative NLR and PLR values. However, variability in study designs, patient populations, and cutoff values for these indices contributed to inconsistent findings. Conclusions: Blood cell-derived inflammatory markers offer a valuable, non-invasive tool for assessing postoperative risks in patients with CRC. New design nomograms or risk scores that include, beside blood cell-derived inflammation markers, other relevant data, could ensure an optimal predictive value that could be easily used in clinical practice for personalized risk management in patients with colorectal cancer.

A Narrative Literature Review on Sepsis: A Primary Manifestation of Colorectal Neoplasm

Sepsis and colorectal cancer (CRC) exhibit a complex relationship that warrants further exploration. This review delves into the interplay of factors between sepsis and CRC, uncovering shared pathophysiological traits and potential bacterial associations. Understanding these connections could pave the way for earlier diagnosis, improved management, and enhanced outcomes in CRC patients. The role of immune system dysfunction, hypoalbuminemia, and specific microbial imbalances, such as Streptococcus bovis and Clostridium septicum, are discussed. Recognizing sepsis in CRC patients is crucial for timely intervention, and tailored approaches encompassing antibiotic therapy, source control measures, and cancer treatment are essential for comprehensive care. Monitoring biomarkers and ratios can provide valuable insights into complications and overall health outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach involving various specialists is necessary to address the global burden of CRC and its association with sepsis while exploring novel interventions, such as fecal microbiota transplantation and personalized care. We conducted a thorough search using reputable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to investigate the connection between sepsis and CRC. We refined our search terms, utilized sidebar filters, and examined references in selected articles. This meticulous process helped us create a comprehensive literature review and gain valuable insights into this relationship.

Predictive value of the Naples prognostic score on postoperative outcomes in patients with rectal cancer

PURPOSE

The Naples prognostic score (NPS) is a prognostic index based on the nutritional and inflammatory status. However, its utility in predicting postoperative complications (POCs) has not been examined in rectal cancer (RC). We evaluated the predictive value of the preoperative NPS for POCs in RC.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 235 patients who underwent surgery for RC. The NPS was calculated based on serum albumin, serum total cholesterol, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR). Severe POCs were defined as Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥ III. The optimal cut-off value of the NPS was determined by a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The NPS, NLR, LMR, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP)-to-albumin ratio (CAR), Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), Onodera prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and controlling nutritional status score (CONUT) were investigated as inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers. Predictors of severe POCs were analyzed by logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

Severe POCs were observed in 64 patients (27.2%). Male sex, operation time (> 257 min), blood loss (≥ 30 mL), albumin (< 4.0 g/dL), CRP (≥ 1.0 mg/dL), total cholesterol (≤ 180 mg/dL), NPS (≥ 2), LMR (≥ 3.48), PLR (≥ 103.6), CAR (> 0.025), GPS (≥ 1), PNI (< 48.1) and CONUT (≥ 2) were significantly associated with severe POCs. The multivariate analysis revealed that male sex, operation time (> 257 min), and a high NPS (≥ 2) were independent predictors of severe POCs. The ROC curve analysis revealed that the NPS had the greatest predictive value among the inflammation-based and/or nutritional markers.

CONCLUSION

The NPS is a valuable predictor of severe POCs in RC.

The Pre-Treatment Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Prognostic Factor for Loco-Regional Control in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

Chronic inflammatory reactions have been proven to represent relevant mechanisms for the development and progression of cancer in numerous tumor entities. There is evidence that the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is associated with the prognostic outcome. In rectal cancer, the prognostic role of this parameter has not yet been conclusively clarified. The aim of this study was to further clarify the prognostic significance of the pre-treatment PLR in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). In the present study, 603 patients with LARC, who were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and subsequent surgical resection between 2004 and 2019, were retrospectively evaluated. The influence of clinico-pathological and laboratory factors on locoregional control (LC), metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS) was investigated. In univariate analyses, high PLR was significantly associated with worse LC (p = 0.017) and OS (p = 0.008). In multivariate analyses, the PLR remained an independent parameter for the LC (HR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.000-1.009, p = 0.050). Pre-treatment lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (HR: 1.005 95% CI:1.002-1.008; p = 0.001) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (HR: 1.006, 95% CI:1.003-1.009; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for MFS; additionally, age (HR: 1.052, 95% CI:1.023-1.081; p < 0.001), LDH (HR: 1.003, 95% CI:1.000-1.007; p = 0.029) and CEA (HR: 1.006, 95% CI:1.003-1.009; p < 0.001) independently predicted OS. Pre-treatment PLR before nCRT is an independent prognostic factor for LC in LARC, which could be used to further individualize tumor treatment.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as an Early Predictor of Symptomatic Anastomotic Leakage in Patients after Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background: This study aimed to explore the role of postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting symptomatic anastomotic leakage in patients who underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data of patients who underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection from May 2009 to May 2019. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the cut-off values with the best predictive efficacy of a symptomatic anastomotic leakage. In addition, a propensity score-matched analysis was performed by considering all covariate variables, and 61 patients with or without symptomatic anastomotic leakage were included in the analysis. Results: The present study included 306 patients; of these, 17 (5.56%) developed symptomatic anastomotic leakage after surgery. On postoperative day 5, compared with patients without symptomatic anastomotic leakage, those with leakage had significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte levels. Notably, a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte cut-off score of 6.54 indicated the best area under the curve of 0.818 (95% confidence interval: 0.697−0.940, p < 0.001) in predicting symptomatic anastomotic leakage, with a sensitivity and specificity of 76.5% and 79.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Although evidence for the predictive role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is accumulating, it remains inconclusive. In addition, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte levels should be considered a predictive biomarker for symptomatic anastomotic leakage; however, it can more accurately be viewed as an adjunct that helps increase the clinical suspicion of emerging symptomatic anastomotic leakage.

Clinical implication of the advanced lung cancer inflammation index in patients with right-sided colon cancer after complete mesocolic excision: a propensity score-matched analysis

Background

This study aimed to assess the clinical implications of the advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) in patients with right-sided colon cancer (RCC) after complete mesocolic excision (CME).

Methods

A total of 441 patients with RCC who underwent CME were included. The optimal cut-off value for the ALI was determined using the X-tile software. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for postoperative complications and long-term outcomes. Predictive nomograms for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were constructed after propensity score matching (PSM), and their performance was assessed using the net reclassification improvement index (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement index (IDI), and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (time-ROC) curve analysis.

Results

The optimal preoperative ALI cut-off value was 36.3. After PSM, ASA classification 3/4, operative duration, and a low ALI were independently associated with postoperative complications in the multivariate analysis (all P<0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that an age >60 years, a carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level >37 U/mL, pathological N+ stage, and a low ALI were independently correlated with OS (all P<0.05). A CA19-9 level >37 U/mL, pathological N+ stage, lymphovascular invasion, and a low ALI were independent predictors of DFS (all P<0.05). Predictive nomograms for OS and DFS were constructed using PSM. Furthermore, a nomogram combined with the ALI was consistently superior to a non-ALI nomogram or the pathological tumor-node-metastasis classification based on the NRI, IDI, and time-ROC curve analysis after PSM (all P<0.05).

Conclusion

The ALI was an effective indicator for predicting short- and long-term outcomes in patients with RCC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02712-0.

The Role of Preoperative Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor for Incisional Hernias after Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Liver Surgery for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

(1) Background: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for liver resection is a globally established technique. In this study, we report on the incidence and risk factors for postoperative incisional hernia (IH) after hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for colorectal liver metastasis. (2) Methods: This was retrospective analysis of 89 consecutive hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for colorectal liver metastasis. (3) Results: Participants were 39 females and 50 males. Median age was 65 years, and in 63%, the BMI was ≥25. Postoperative complications were encountered in 18% of the patients. Seven patients (7.8%) had postoperative incisional hernia in the hand port site. There was significantly higher incidence of incisional hernia in overweight patients (BMI ≥ 25) (p = 0.04), and in cases with simultaneous liver and colon resection (p = 0.02). In univariant and multivariant analyses, simultaneous liver and colon resection (p = 0.004 and 0.03, respectively), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio ≤ 200 (p = 0.03, 0.04, respectively) were both independent risk factors for developing postoperative incisional hernia. (4) Conclusions: Both simultaneous liver and colon resection, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio ≤ 200 are independent risk factors for postoperative incisional hernia after hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for colorectal liver metastasis.

Study of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and immunocyte ratios in 194 patients with sepsis

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and immune cells can predict sepsis severity in adult patients. However, the specific values of these indicators are not consistent in predicting prognosis.

METHODS

A retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 194 patients based on the concept of sepsis in 2016 (Sepsis 3.0) from January 2017 to December 2019. A comparative analysis of inflammatory factors associated with patients in the sepsis survival and the non-survival group was performed. The concentrations of CRP and PCT, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were measured. ROC curve was used to assess the diagnosis and analysis of the selected indices of sepsis. According to each index's cut-off value of the ROC curve, the patients were divided into two groups, and the prognosis was calculated.

RESULTS

Among the 194 patients, 32 died (16.49%), the median age of the patients was 79 (66.0, 83.3) years, and 118 were male (60.8%). Analysis of related inflammatory indicators showed that CRP, NLR, MLR, PLR, and CRP*PCT in the non-survival group were statistically higher than those in the survival group (all p values were < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that PCT, CRP, NLR, PLR, and CRP*PCT were all independent prognostic factors for patients. The ROC curve results showed that CRP*PCT had the best diagnostic value (AUC = 0.915). The cut-off values of PCT, CRP, NLR, PLR, MLR, and CRP*PCT were 0.25 ng/mL, 85.00 mg/L, 8.66, 275.51, 0.74%, and 5.85 (mg/L)2, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival estimate showed that patient prognosis between the CRP, PCT, NLR, PLR, and CRP*PCT was statistically different (all values P < 0.05, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference in gender and MLR (all values P > 0.05, respectively), grouping based on diagnostic cut-off values.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, inflammation-related markers PCT, CRP, NLR, MLR, PLR, and CRP*PCT can be used as independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with sepsis. Furthermore, except for MRL, these indicators have cut-off values for predicting patient death.

Pre-surgical peripheral blood inflammation markers predict surgical site infection following mesh repair of groin hernia

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a costly postoperative complication with a decrease in the quality of life. We aimed to probe the predictive role of peripheral blood inflammation markers for SSI following mesh repair of groin hernia (GH).This retrospective study assessed the data of 1177 patients undergoing elective mesh repair of GH (open/laparoscopy) in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis. The relation between demographics, surgical factors, pre-surgical laboratory results and the occurrence of SSI were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal threshold of parameters and compare their veracity.The overall SSI rate was 3.2% with 1-year follow-up (38 superficial and 1 deep SSI). Patients with SSI had significant higher pre-surgical neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) than those without (P = .029 and P = .045, respectively); their NLR and PLR correlated positively with postoperative total days of antibiotic treatment for SSI (r = .689, P = .000; r = .493, P = .001; respectively). NLR and PLR had larger areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves than neutrophil (.875 vs. .601; P = .000; .726 vs. .601; P = .017). The combination of PLR and neutrophil/NLR raised the predictive sensitivity of PLR for SSI (sensitivity: PLR: 74.36%; PLR + neutrophil: 82.05%; PLR + NLR: 83.57%). On multivariate analyses, higher preoperative NLR (cut-off 2.44) and PLR (cut-off 125.42) were independent predictors for SSI.Higher pre-surgical NLR and PLR may be valuable predictors for SSI following elective mesh repair of GH.

Prognostic value of pretreatment systemic inflammatory markers in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

The aim of this study was to explore the most powerful systemic inflammation marker of survival in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients and construct prognostic  nomograms. A total of 472 LARC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and radical surgery from 2011 to 2015 were included. The optimal cutoff points for the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII); and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR) ratios were calculated and determined by using the X-tile program. The cut-off values were 797.6. 2.3, 169.5, and 0.4, respectively. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that higher pathological TNM stage, the AJCC tumor regression grade, and the NLR level were significantly associated with increased overall survival and disease-free survival. High NLR level (≥ 2.3) was associated with higher pre-NCRT CA19-9 levels, lower hemoglobin, larger tumor size, and more lymph nodes retrieved (p = 0.012, p = 0.024, and p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively). High NRL scores were associated with poorer 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival (p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Predictive nomograms and time-independent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve that included the NLR score group were superior to those without NLR scores. Higher NLR scores (≥2 0.3) were associated with poorer DFS and OS in LARC patients. In addition, NLR was identified as the most effective marker for systemic inflammation, and the prognostic value was further confirmed by time-dependent ROC analysis. More intense adjuvant treatment could be considered for higher NLR score patients with LARC following NCRT.

A Comparison of the Predictive Role of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Immunonutritional Parameters for Postoperative Complications in Elderly Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is reportedly a useful factor for predicting postoperative complications in elderly patients with several cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between postoperative complications and the GNRI in elderly patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical data of 62 patients who were ≥65 years old and underwent open surgery for RCC were analyzed retrospectively. The American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, Charlson comorbidity index, surgical procedure, body mass index, GNRI, platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), psoas muscle index (PMI), visceral fat area, and subcutaneous fat area were examined. The association of the GNRI and immunonutritional parameters with postoperative complications was analyzed by the univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Grade ≥ II postoperative complications evaluated by the Clavien-Dindo classification were seen in 11 out of 62 cases. In the Spearman's correlation test, the GNRI showed a significant negative correlation with the PLR and NLR and a significant positive correlation with the PMI. The group with postoperative complications showed a significantly lower GNRI, higher PLR, and higher NLR than those without complications. In the multivariate analysis, a GNRI ≤92 was independently associated with postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

The GNRI might play an important role in evaluation of the risk of postoperative complications in open surgery for elderly RCC patients.

Prognostic Value of an Inflammation-Related Index in 6,865 Chinese Patients With Postoperative Digestive Tract Cancers: The FIESTA Study

Objectives: We sought to determine the optimal cutting points for two inflammatory biomarkers, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), to assess their prognostic value in patients with postoperative digestive tract cancers overall and by cancer sites, and further to construct an inflammation-related index based on the two biomarkers and assess its predictive performance.

Methods: Total 6,865 assessable patients with digestive tract cancers who underwent tumor resection were consecutively enrolled from Fujian Cancer Hospital between January 2000 and December 2010, including 2535/3012/1318 patients with esophageal/gastric/colorectal cancer. The latest follow-up (median: 44.9 months) ended in December 2015. Optimal cutting points were determined using survival tree analysis overall and by cancer sites.

Results: Among all study patients, the optimal cutting points were 2.07 and 168.50 to define high and low NLR and PLR, respectively. High NLR (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–1.61) and high PLR (HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.29–1.53) were associated with a significantly increased risk for the mortality of digestive tract cancers as a whole. By cancer sites, effect-size estimates were comparable and statistically significant. Elevation over the selected optimal cutting points for both NLR and PLR was associated with 1.69-fold increased risk of cancer-specific mortality compared to patients with simultaneously low NLR and PLR among all study patients, and this association persisted by cancer sites, especially for gastric cancer.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the preoperative integrated NLR and PLR, as an inflammation-related index, is a significant independent predictor for postoperative mortality in Chinese patients with digestive tract cancers both overall and by cancer sites.