Low Systemic Inflammation Response Index Predicts Good Prognosis in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Carcinoma Patients Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Long-term effectiveness and safety of deucravacitinib for psoriasis: a 52-week real-world study of genital, scalp and nail lesions

BACKGROUND

The long-term (around 1-year) effectiveness and safety of deucravacitinib for the treatment of psoriasis have not been extensively studied in real-world settings, particularly in difficult-to-treat areas, such as the genital, scalp and nail regions.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the 52-week real-world effectiveness and safety of deucravacitinib in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis of the genital, scalp and nail regions.

METHODS

This prospective study analysed 104 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis treated with deucravacitinib. Clinical scores, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), both static and site-specific Physician Global Assessment (PGA), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and laboratory inflammatory indices were assessed during a 52-week period.

RESULTS

Deucravacitinib decreased clinical severity scores, and the decrease was sustained for 52 weeks. At week 52, 86% (37/43), 63% (27/43) and 26% (11/43) of patients achieved PASI 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100 reductions (representing a ≥ 75%, ≥ 90% or 100% improvement from baseline), respectively. Deucravacitinib reduced the PGA scores for the genital, scalp and nail regions, as well as the DLQI. Among the patients who completed the 52-week treatment, no significant impact on laboratory inflammatory indices was observed, and no severe or lethal adverse events were reported. Not all patients completed the full 52-week treatment period, as some discontinued early due to adverse events or for other reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

Deucravacitinib may be a promising long-term treatment option for psoriasis, demonstrating sustained effectiveness and safety, including in difficult-to-treat areas, such as the genital, scalp and nail regions in real-world clinical practice.

Nomograms Based on Blood-Based Biomarkers for Predicting Prognosis in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of the platelet-to-platelet distribution width ratio (P/PDW), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). Methods: A total of 549 LA-NPC patients were included in this retrospective analysis. Clinicopathological characteristics and blood test data were obtained from patient records. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to determine the optimal cutoff values for P/PDW, SIRI, and SII. The χ 2 test was used to compare clinicopathological characteristics. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses via Cox regression. Additionally, we developed a nomogram to predict outcomes and assessed its acuracy using the concordance index (C-index) and a calibration curve. Results: The median follow-up time was 47.1 months. Elevated P/PDW levels were associated with advanced N stages and higher risks of disease progression (all p  < 0.05). Patients with high SIRI or SII levels were more likely to have advanced T stages, clinical stages, and to develop metastasis (all p  < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that P/PDW, SIRI, SII, and T stage were significantly correlated with both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS; all p  < 0.05). Clinical stage was significantly related only to PFS (p=0.009). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified P/PDW (hazard ratio (HR): 0.544, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.390-0.759, p  < 0.001; HR: 0.406, 95% CI: 0.268-0.615, p  < 0.001) and T stage (HR: 0.539, 95% CI: 0.378-0.768, p=0.001; HR: 0.545, 95% CI: 0.364-0.815, p=0.003) as independent prognostic factors for both OS and PFS, while SIRI (HR: 0.525, 95% CI: 0.333-0.827, p=0.006) was an independent predictor of OS. Nomogram C-indexes for the nomogram of OS were 0.717 and PFS were 0.711, respectively. Survival predictions and actual survival were consistent according to the calibration curve. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that P/PDW is a convenient and effective marker for predicting outcomes in LA-NPC patients.

Systemic inflammatory response index as a novel biomarker for age-related macular degeneration: a cross-sectional study from NHANES (2005-2008)

Background

Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation plays a significant role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis. The systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), a novel inflammatory marker, may predict various diseases. However, data on the relationship between SIRI and AMD are limited. This study examines the relationship between SIRI and AMD and assesses its potential as a predictive biomarker.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2005 to 2008 was conducted on participants aged ≥40 years with SIRI and AMD status data. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for confounders were used to assess the association. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses, along with restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve analysis, were performed.

Results

Among 5,365 participants, 425 (7.9%) had AMD. The median SIRI was higher in AMD patients (1.23 vs. 1.04, p < 0.001). Higher SIRI was independently associated with increased odds (adjusted OR: 1.18, 95% CI:1.07-1.29, p = 0.001). RCS analyses revealed a dose-response relationship (p = 0.002). Subgroup analyses showed a positive association in male participants, individuals with hypertension, individuals with obesity, and non-smokers. Higher SIRI levels were independently associated with increased AMD risk (adjusted OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03-1.56, p = 0.023).

Conclusion

Elevated SIRI is independently associated with increased AMD risk in the U.S. population. SIRI may serve as a biomarker for identifying high-risk individuals, enabling early intervention. The cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and unmeasured confounders may affect the results. SIRI could potentially serve as a non-invasive biomarker for AMD risk, pending further validation through longitudinal studies.

Predictive factors for responders to deucravacitinib treatment in patients with psoriasis

The tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor deucravacitinib is therapeutically effective for psoriasis. However, predictive factors for high responses to deucravacitinib have not been examined in a real-world clinical study. Our study aimed to identify predictive factors for responders to deucravacitinib. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted on 74 patients with psoriasis treated with deucravacitinib (6 mg/day) at week 16 of treatment from January 2023 to February 2024. Patients were classified into responders (achievers of a static Physician's Global Assessment [sPGA] of 0 or 1 with ≥2-point improvement from basal sPGA) and non-responders (non-achievers). We compared baseline values of clinical and laboratory indexes between responders and non-responders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables predicting responders. Forty-one patients (55.4%) were considered as responders at week 16. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the response to deucravacitinib was associated with higher age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.08; p = 0.0222) and lower body mass index (BMI) (OR 0.825; 95% CI 0.713-0.955; p = 0.0101). Higher age and lower BMI may predict a higher response to deucravacitinib (6 mg/day) at week 16 of treatment.

Predictive Factors for Poor Responders to Tralokinumab in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Real-World Analysis

Abstracts: Background: Some patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) show insufficient response to treatment with tralokinumab, an anti-interleukin-13 antibody. Identifying predictive factors for poor responders to tralokinumab can help optimize treatment strategies for AD patients. Objective: To identify predictive factors for poor responders to tralokinumab, defined as an investigator's global assessment >2 at week 12 or 24. Methods: A prospective study was conducted from October 2023 to August 2024, including 109 Japanese patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Baseline features were compared between poor responders versus responders at week 12 or 24. Results: Poor responders at week 12 showed higher baseline eczema area and severity index (EASI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) compared with responders. Poor responders at week 24 had older age, longer disease duration, and higher proportions of previous systemic therapies, previous dupilumab, or previous 15 mg upadacitinib treatment, compared with responders. Conclusions: Higher baseline EASI, LDH, and ELR may predict poor response to tralokinumab at week 12. Older age, longer disease duration, and previous usage of systemic therapy, dupilumab, or 15 mg upadacitinib may predict poor response to tralokinumab at week 24. AD patients with the above features may as well avoid tralokinumab treatment.

Effectiveness of long-term bimekizumab treatment and predictive factors for responders in moderate-to-severe psoriasis: A 52-week real-world study

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease in which the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis plays a central role. Bimekizumab is a novel antibody that targets both IL-17A and IL-17F. This retrospective study aimed to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of 52-week treatment with bimekizumab, and to identify predictive factors for short- (16 weeks) and long-term (52 weeks) responders (i.e., achievers of a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score of 100) to bimekizumab in Japanese patients with psoriasis. The study was conducted on 56 Japanese patients (aged ≥ 15 years) with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with bimekizumab from May 2022 to March 2024. The therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated by the transition of PASI scores during treatment. Baseline characteristics and clinical and laboratory indexes were compared between responders and poor responders. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were recorded to assess the safety of the treatment. At week 52, the achievement of PASI 100, static Physician's Global Assessment 0/1, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index 0/1 were 72.4%, 94.7%, and 93.3%, respectively. Short-term responders showed lower baseline values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic inflammatory response index compared to poor responders. Long-term responders showed younger age and lower MLR compared to poor responders. TEAEs were mild or moderate, without serious adverse events. Long-term treatment with bimekizumab is effective and safe for psoriasis patients. Lower MLR and younger age might predict long-term response to treatment with bimekizumab, aiding in personalized treatment strategies.

The prognostic value of systemic inflammation response index in digestive system carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Digestive system carcinomas (DSC) constitute a significant proportion of solid tumors, with incidence rates rising steadily each year. The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) has been identified as a potential prognostic marker for survival in various types DSC. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of SIRI in patients with DSC.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, searching for studies published from inception to May 30, 2023. Eligible studies included cohort studies that assessed the association between pre-treatment SIRI levels and DSC prognosis. We extracted and synthesized hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using STATA/SE 12.0, stratifying HRs based on univariable and multivariable analysis. Due to substantial heterogeneity, we applied a random-effect model for all pooled analyses. The primary outcome of interest was the overall survival (OS), while secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS), disease-free survival (DFS), time to progression (TTP), and disease specific survival (DSS). Publication bias was evaluated using Begg's test and Egger's tests.

RESULTS

A total of 34 cohort studies encompassing 9628 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Notable heterogeneity was observedin the OS (I2 = 76.5%, p < 0.001) and PFS (I2 = 82.8%, p = 0.001) subgroups, whereas no significant heterogeneity was detected in the DFS, TTP, and DSS subgroups. Elevated SIRI was found to be significantly associated with shorter OS (HR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.70-2.30, tau2 = 0.0966) and poorer PFS (HR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.58-3.53, tau2 = 0.1319), DFS (HR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.61-2.01, tau2 < 0.0001), TTP (HR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.47-2.81, tau2 = 0.0232), and DSS (HR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.46-2.72, tau2 < 0.0001). Furthermore, an increase in SIRI following treatment was linked to reduced OS, TTP, and DFS, while a decrease in SIRI post-treatment corresponded with improved OS, TTP, and DFS compared to baseline levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated SIRI is associated with poorer clinical outcomes in patients with DSC. This index may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker, offering a promising tool for predicting survival in DSC patients.

PROSPERO

REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023430962.

Predictive Factors for Long-Term High Responders to Upadacitinib Treatment in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Background: Upadacitinib, a Janus kinase 1 inhibitor, is an effective medicine for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Identifying long-term responders to upadacitinib is crucial for optimal treatment strategies in real-world clinical practice. To identify predictive factors for long-term high responders to upadacitinib 15 mg or 30 mg, defined as achievers of investigator's global assessment (IGA) 0/1 with ≥2-point improvement from baseline IGA at week 48. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from August 2021 to September 2023 on 63 AD patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg and 31 patients with 30 mg. Patients of each group were categorized into long-term high responders (achievers of IGA 0/1 at week 48) and low responders (non-achievers). We compared baseline values of clinical indexes and laboratory parameters between long-term responders and nonresponders. Results: In 15 mg group, long-term high responders showed lower rate of bronchial asthma (BA), lower values of baseline eczema area and severity index (EASI) of head and neck, IgE, and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) compared with low responders. In 30 mg group, long-term high responders showed lower baseline levels of IgE compared with low responders. Conclusion: Patients with lower baseline EASI of head and neck, IgE, or SIRI or without BA and those with lower baseline IgE may have a higher potential to become long-term high responders to upadacitinib 15 mg and 30 mg treatment, respectively.

Identification of Early and Late Responders to Anti-IL-13 Antibody Tralokinumab in Atopic Dermatitis: A Real-World Japanese Study

Background: Tralokinumab, an anti-IL-13 antibody, is an effective treatment for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, predictive factors for responders to tralokinumab remain unclear in real-world practice. Objective: This study aimed to identify predictive factors for early and late responders to tralokinumab treatment. Early responders were defined as patients achieving investigator's global assessment (IGA) 0/1 at week 12, whereas late responders were defined as those without IGA 0/1 at week 12 but achieving IGA 0/1 at week 24. Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 108 Japanese AD patients treated with tralokinumab between October 2023 and August 2024. Patients' background factors and baseline clinical or laboratory indexes were compared between responders and poor responders. Results: Both early and late responders had a higher proportion of systemic therapy-naive patients compared with poor responders. Early responders had higher proportion of females, younger age, shorter disease duration, lower body mass index, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, whereas late responders had lower immunoglobulin E, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and C-reactive protein compared with poor responders. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights for optimizing treatment strategies in AD, in selecting patients who may respond to tralokinumab at early or late phases.

Predictive Factors for Primary and Secondary Nonresponders to Upadacitinib in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Real-World Study

Background: Some patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) do not sufficiently respond to upadacitinib, a Janus kinase 1 inhibitor. However, predictive factors for nonresponders remain unclear in real-world practice. Objective: To identify predictive factors for primary and secondary nonresponders to upadacitinib 15 mg; primary nonresponders are defined as patients with investigator's global assessment (IGA) >2 at week 12, while secondary nonresponders are defined as patients with IGA ≤2 at week 12 and IGA >2 at week 24. Methods: A prospective study was conducted from August 2021 to March 2024, involving 204 Japanese AD patients treated with upadacitinib 15 mg. Baseline clinical and laboratory indexes were compared between nonresponders and responders. Results: Primary nonresponders showed higher baseline eczema area and severity index (EASI), immunoglobulin E (IgE), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) compared with responders. Secondary nonresponders had a higher proportion of previous systemic therapies, dupilumab, and corticosteroids. Conclusions: Higher baseline EASI, IgE, TARC, LDH, NLR, CRP, SII, and SIRI may predict primary nonresponders to upadacitinib 15 mg, while previous systemic dupilumab or corticosteroids may predict secondary nonresponders.

Effects of Tralokinumab on Clinical and Laboratory Indexes in Atopic Dermatitis: A 24-Week Real-World Study

Background: Tralokinumab, a monoclonal anti-IL-13 antibody, is approved for treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Real-world data on its effectiveness and safety are limited. Objective: To evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of tralokinumab and the transition of laboratory indexes during 24-week treatment for AD patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 104 patients with moderate-to-severe AD treated with tralokinumab 300 mg every 2 weeks after primary 600 mg. Clinical and laboratory indexes were assessed until week 24. Results: At week 24, achievement rates of Eczema Area and Severity Index 75 (EASI 75), EASI 90, and investigator's global assessment 0 out of 1 in systemic therapy-naïve patients, 83.3%, 72.2%, and 44.4%, respectively, were higher than those in systemic therapy-experienced patients, 46.7%, 20.0%, and 6.7%, respectively. Serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) significantly decreased at week 24, whereas neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) significantly decreased at week 12 from baseline. Twenty-nine patients (27.9%) experienced mild treatment-emergent adverse events. Conclusions: Tralokinumab treatment showed prosperous therapeutic effects and good tolerability in real-world practice for AD, with higher effectiveness in patients without prior systemic therapy compared with those with prior systemic therapy. Tralokinumab treatment significantly decreased clinical and laboratory indexes, EASI, Peak Pruritus-Numerical Rating Scale, IgE, TARC, LDH, NLR, and SIRI.

Assessment of aggregate index of systemic inflammation and systemic inflammatory response index in dry age-related macular degeneration: a retrospective study

Introduction

Inflammation is known to contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Several inflammatory indices derived from routine complete blood counts have been proposed as biomarkers in multiple disorders.

Methods

In this study, clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected from medical records to assess the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) and the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) as potential biomarkers of systemic inflammation in patients with early diagnosis of dry AMD.

Results

The study included 90 patients with dry AMD and 270 age/sex-matched patients with cataracts as a control group. There were no significant differences in the AISI and SIRI results between the cases and controls (p = 0.16 and 0.19, respectively).

Conclusion

This suggests that AISI and SIRI may be inadequate metrics for AMD or lack sensitivity in detecting inflammatory changes. Exploring other routine blood markers may help to identify and prevent the early stages of AMD.

Low Pre-ChemoradiotherapyPan-Immune-Inflammation Value (PIV) Measures Predict Better Survival Outcomes in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinomas

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to determine whether pretreatment pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) could be used to predict prognosis in patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LA-PAC) following definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (C-CRT).

METHODS

The outcomes of 178 LA-PAC patients who received definitive C-CRT were analyzed retrospectively. For all patients, the PIV was calculated using the peripheral blood platelet (P), monocyte (M), neutrophil (N), and lymphocyte (L) counts obtained on the first day of C-CRT: PIV=P×M×N÷L. The optimum cutoff values for PIV connected to progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) results were sought using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The OS and PFS differences between the PIV groups constituted the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively.

RESULTS

ROC curve analysis indicated that the ideal PIV cutoff was 464 (AUC: 75.9%, sensitivity: 74.1%, specificity: 71.9%), which categorized patients into two groups based on PFS and OS results: low PIV (L-PIV; N = 69) and high PIV (H-PIV; N = 109). According to comparative survival analyses, patients in the L-PIV group had significantly longer median PFS (14.3 vs 7.3 months; HR: 3.04; P<0.001) and OS (25.9 vs 13.3 months; HR: 2.86; P<0.001) than those in the H-PIV group. Although none of the H-PIV patients could survive beyond 5 years, the estimated 5-year OS rate was 29.7% in the L-PIV cohort. In multivariate analyses, besides the L-PIV, N0 nodal stage, and CA 19-9 ≤ 90 U/mL appeared to be the independent predictors of better PFS (P < 0.05 for each) and OS (P < 0.05 for each) results.

CONCLUSION

The present results indicated that pre-C-CRT L-PIV measures were associated with favorable median and long-term PFS and OS results in LA-PAC patients, suggesting that the PIV is a potent and independent novel prognostic biomarker.

Prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and its association with immune cells using systemic inflammatory response index

Aim: To explore the prognostic value of the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and peripheral blood T-cell subsets in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship between them. Materials & methods: We treated 352 patients with HCC with sorafenib and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and analyzed SIRI and peripheral blood T cells. Results: SIRI was an independent prognostic factor for patients with HCC receiving systemic therapy. Patients with high SIRI and low baseline peripheral blood T-cell counts showed a poor response to ICIs. SIRI was significantly and negatively correlated with CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts. Conclusion: SIRI markers can be employed to noninvasively assess the presence of cancer-promoting inflammation in the tumor microenvironment and predict the efficacy of targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Markers of tumor inflammation as prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving first-line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Identifying pretreatment blood markers that distinguish prognostic groups of patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) under first-line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy has the potential to improve management of this condition. Aim of this study was to determine the prognostic utility of a range of pretreatment, inflammation-related, blood cell markers in this group of patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from a training cohort were analyzed to identify potential pretreatment blood markers correlating to survival outcomes. The most informative markers were further analyzed in a validation cohort comprised patients from a geographically separate cancer center undergoing the same treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 138 consecutive patients receiving FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy between 2010 and 2019, constituted the training cohort. Neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte/lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as well as the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and CA19.9 showed prognostic significance in addition to tumor stage. A pretreatment SIRI score cutoff of 2.35 differentiated between a poor prognostic group with median overall survival (mOS) 5.1 months and a better prognostic group, mOS 12.5 months. SIRI ≤/> 2.35 was predictive of mOS in patients with locally advanced and metastatic PDAC. SIRI was confirmed as a prognostic marker in a validation cohort of 67 patients with mOS of 13.4 months and 6.3 months for those with SIRI ≤ 2.35 and >2.35, respectively. Additional analysis revealed baseline SIRI as being prognostic within additional subgroups of patients in both cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

This large, retrospective, analysis of real-world patients receiving first-line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy for advanced PDAC has identified the pretreatment blood SIRI as a strong prognostic marker for survival. This will allow better counseling of patients with regards to the benefits of treatment, improved stratification within clinical trials, and potentially identify groups of patients for novel therapy trials as first-line treatment.

High Measures of Pre-Chemoradiotherapy Platelet-to-Albumin Ratio Indicates Poor Prognosis in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients

PURPOSE

In a lack of similar research, we meant to retrospectively investigate the prognostic significance of pre-chemoradiotherapy (C-CRT) platelet-to-albumin ratio (PAR) on the survival results of locally advanced unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPC) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present analysis included 139 LAPC patients who received C-CRT in total. The utility of pre-C-CRT cutoff(s) reshaping survival data was explored using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The primary and secondary objectives were the associations between PAR levels and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 15.7 months (95% CI: 11.6-19.8), the overall cohort's median and 5-year OS rates were 14.4 months (95% CI: 11.8-17) and 14.7%, respectively, while the corresponding PFS rates were 7.8 months (95% CI: 6.5-9.1) and 11.2%. Because the ROC curve analysis found 4.9 as the optimal PAR cutoff for both OS and PFS [area under the curve (AUC): 75.4%; sensitivity: 72.4%; specificity: 70.3%], we divided the patients into two PAR cohorts: PAR<4.9 (N=60) and PAR≥4.9 (N=79). Comparative analysis per PAR group exhibited significantly worse OS (11.2 vs 18.6 months, and 9.8% vs 20.9% at 5 years, P=0.003) and DFS (7 vs 14.3 months, and 7.6% vs 16.2% at 5 years, P=0.001) with PAR≥4.9 versus PAR<4.9, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the N0 nodal status, CA 19-9≤90 U/mL, and PAR<4.9 were found to be independent predictors of improved OS and PFS.

CONCLUSION

The pre-C-CRT high PAR (≥4.9) robustly and independently prognosticated significantly worse OS and PFS results in inoperable LAPC patients who underwent definitive C-CRT.

Sarcopenia and Systemic Inflammation Response Index Predict Response to Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Are Associated With Immune Cells

BACKGROUND

Systemic therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have challenged the use of conventional therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is crucial to determine which patients could benefit most from combination therapy. This study aims to examine the associations of sarcopenia and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) with the treatment responses and efficacies in patients with HCC treated with ICIs and tyrosine kinase inhibitors TKIs, as well as investigate the correlation between sarcopenia and inflammatory or immune states.

METHODS

We reviewed 160 patients with HCC treated with TKIs and ICIs. The patients' psoas muscle size was measured on axial computed tomography scans and normalized for the patients' height squared. This value was referred to as the psoas muscle index (PMI). Sarcopenia was determined from PMI and their relationships with patients' clinicopathological characteristics, inflammation indexes, peripheral blood T-cell subsets and survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sarcopenia and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were independent predictors for overall survival and progression-free survival. Patients with high PMI and low SIRI demonstrated significantly better median overall survival and progression-free survival (36.0 months and 9.6 months, respectively) than those with either low PMI or high SIRI (20.8 months and 6.0 months, respectively) and those with both high SIRI and low PMI (18.6 months and 3.0 months, respectively). Portal vein tumor thrombus (P=0.003), eastern cooperative oncology group performance status score of 1 (P=0.048), high alkaline phosphatase (P=0.037), high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P=0.012), low lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) (P=0.031), high platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (P=0.022) and high SIRI (P=0.012) were closely associated with an increased incidence of sarcopenia. PMI was negatively correlated with SIRI (r = -0.175, P=0.003), NLR (r = -0.169, P=0.036), and PLR (r = -0.328, P=0.000) and was significantly positively correlated with LMR (r = 0.232, P=0.004). The CD3+ and CD4+ T-cell counts of the high PMI group were significantly higher than those of the low PMI group.

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia and high SIRI were associated with reduced survival in patients with HCC treated with ICIs and TKIs. Sarcopenia could affect inflammatory states and the immune microenvironment.

The MLR, NLR, PLR and D-dimer are associated with clinical outcome in lung cancer patients treated with surgery

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to investigate the use of peripheral blood biomarkers as predictors of patient survival. The aim of this study was to identify the baseline peripheral blood biomarkers associated with clinical outcome in patients with early lung cancer (stage I-II) treated with surgery.

METHODS

We included and analysed data from 376 patients with early-stage lung cancer who underwent a standard lobectomy. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on all patients to assess the relationships between progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and the peripheral blood biomarker metrics measured before surgical treatment. The peripheral blood parameters included monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and dimeric fibrin fragment D (D-dimer).

RESULTS

After univariate Cox regression analysis, low MLR, low NLR, low PLR and low D-dimer values were significantly associated with both better OS and PFS (all p < 0.05). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, a low MLR was significantly and independently associated with both better overall survival and better progression-free survival (both p <0.05). A low D-dimer level was significantly and independently associated with better overall survival (p <0.05). Furthermore, the categorization of patients according to the number of factors with favourable results revealed that those without favourable results had significantly worse outcomes than that of those patients with at least one.

CONCLUSION

A baseline signature of low MLR, low NLR, low PLR, and low D-dimer values was associated with a better survival outcome for patients treated with surgery. Patients with more favourable results had better survival outcomes.

The Systemic Inflammation Response Index as an Independent Predictor of Survival in Breast Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study

There is a close relationship between inflammatory cells and tumors, but the pathways that connect the two remain unclear. This research explores the clinical and prognostic value of the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) in breast cancer patients. The study included 477 breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 308 breast cancer patients who did not in our center between January 1998 and December 2016. Optimal SIRI threshold values were determined using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Patients were then reclassified as SIRI ≥0.80 group (High SIRI group) and SIRI <0.80 group (Low SIRI group). The outcomes were analyzed by statistical methods. The univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that SIRI independently predicted survival in breast cancer. The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with low SIRI scores were significantly longer in contrast to those with high SIRI scores (41.50 vs. 37.63 months, and 64.57 vs. 58.42 months). Further subgroup analyses revealed that low SIRI score patients who also had either early breast cancer, advanced breast cancer, or different molecular subtypes also possessed longer mean survival time of DFS and OS in contrast to those with high SIRI levels (χ2 = 2.379, p = 0.123, and χ2 = 5.153, p = 0.023; χ2 = 11.080, p = 0.0009 and χ2 = 15.900, p < 0.0001; χ2 = 16.020, p < 0.0001 and χ2 = 22.050, p < 0.0001, respectively). SIRI serves as an easily accessible, replicable, and minimally invasive prognostic tool in breast cancer patients. Lower SIRI scores were predictive of a longer DFS and OS after surgery in breast cancer patients. SIRI may serve as a marker to guide clinical management and prognostication of breast cancer.

Postchemoradiotherapy Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Distant Metastasis and Survival Results in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancers

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our retrospective research included a sum of 126 LAPAC patients who received CCRT. The NLR was calculated for each patient based on the complete blood count test results obtained on the last day of the CCRT. The availability of optimal cutoff(s) that might dichotomize the whole cohort into two groups with significantly different clinical outcomes was searched using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Primary and secondary endpoints were the potential association between the post-CCRT NLR measures and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes.

RESULTS

The median follow-up duration was 14.7 months (range: 2.4-94.5). The median and 3-year OS and DMFS rates for the whole group were 15.3 months (95% confidence interval: 12.4-18.2) and 14.5%, and 8.7 months (95% CI: 6.7-10.7) and 6.3% separately. The ROC curve analysis findings separated the patients into two groups on a rounded NLR cutoff of 3.1 (area under the curve (AUC): 75.4%; sensitivity: 74.2%; specificity: 73.9%) for OS and DMFS: NLR <3.1 (N = 62) and NLR ≥3.1 (N = 64), respectively. Comparisons between the NLR groups displayed that the median OS (11.4 vs. 21.4 months; P < 0.001) and DMFS (6.0 vs. 16.0 months; P < 0.001) lengths were significantly shorter in the NLR ≥3.1 group than its NLR <3.1 counterparts, as well as the 3-year actuarial DM rate (79.7% vs. 50.0%; P=0.003). The N1-2 nodal stage, CA 19-9>90 U/mL, and NLR >3.1 were found to be independent predictors of poor prognosis in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

The present study found that the posttreatment NLR ≥3.1 was independently linked with a higher risk of DM and subsequent degraded survival outcomes in unresectable LAPAC patients managed with exclusive CCRT.

Systemic Inflammation Response Index as a Prognostic Marker in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 38 Cohorts

Background

The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), a novel and cost-effective serum biomarker, is associated with prognosis in patients with cancer. However, the prognostic value of the SIRI in cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of the SIRI as a prognostic indicator in cancer.

Methods

Reports in which the prognostic value of the SIRI in cancer was evaluated were retrieved from electronic databases. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to evaluate the prognostic significance of the SIRI. The odds ratio (OR) was also calculated to explore the association between the SIRI and clinicopathological features.

Results

This study included 30 retrospective studies with 38 cohorts and 10 754 cases. The meta-analysis indicated that a high SIRI was associated with short overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.82-2.29, P < .001) and disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS)/progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.84-2.34, P < .001). Subgroup analysis showed that the prognostic value of the SIRI was significant in all kinds of cancer included. Moreover, the SIRI was significantly correlated with sex, tumor size, T stage, N stage, TNM stage, and lymphovascular invasion.

Conclusion

The pretreatment SIRI could be a promising universal prognostic indicator in cancer.

The Prognostic Significance of Novel Pancreas Cancer Prognostic Index in Unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreas Cancers Treated with Definitive Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

PURPOSE

We evaluated the prognostic quality of the novel pancreas cancer prognostic index (PCPI), a combination of CA 19-9 and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), on the outcomes of locally advanced pancreas adenocarcinoma (LAPAC) patients who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (C-CRT).

METHODS

This retrospective analysis covered 152 unresectable LAPAC patients treated from 2007 to 2019. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to define ideal cutoff thresholds for the pretreatment CA 19-9 and SIRI measurements, individually. The associations between the PCPI groups and progression-free- (PFS) and overall survival (OS) comprised the respective primary and secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

The ROC curve analysis distinguished the respective rounded optimal cutoffs at 91 U/m/L (< versus ≥90) and 1.8 (< versus ≥1.8) for CA 19-9 and SIRI, arranging the study cohort into two significantly different survival groups for each, with resultant four likely groups: Group-1: CA 19-9<90 U/m/L and SIRI<1.8, Group-2: CA 19-9<90 U/m/L but SIRI≥1.8, Group-3: CA 19-9≥90 U/m/L but SIRI<1.8, and Group-4: CA 19-9≥90 U/m/L and SIRI≥1.8. Since the PFS (P=0.79) and OS (P=0.86) estimates of the groups 2 and 3 were statistically indistinct, we merged them as one group and created the novel three-tiered PCPI: PCPI-1: CA 19-9<90 U/m/L and SIRI<1.8, PCPI-2: CA 19-9<90 U/m/L but SIRI≥1.8 or CA 19-9≥90 U/m/L but SIRI<1.8, and PCPI-3: CA 19-9≥90 U/m/L and SIRI≥1.8, respectively. Comparative analyses unveiled that the PCPI-1 and PCPI-3 groups had the respective best and worst PFS (17.0 versus 7.5 versus 4.4 months; P<0.001) and OS (26.1 versus 15.1 versus 7.4 months; P<0.001) outcomes, while the PCPI-2 group posed in between. The multivariate analysis outcomes confirmed the novel three tired PCPI's independent prognostic significance on either of the PFS [HR: 5.38 (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.96-5.80); P<0.001)] and OS [HR: 5.67 (95% CI: 5.19-6.15); P<0.001] endpoints, separately.

CONCLUSION

The new PCPI introduced here can be used as an independent and reliable prognostic indicator to divide LAPAC patients into three subgroups with discrete survival results.

Gemcitabine based trimodality treatment in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer: May neutrophil lymphocyte and platelet lymphocyte ratios predict outcomes?

PURPOSE

Cisplatin based chemoradiation has been commonly used as a definitive treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The aim of the current study is to evaluate oncologic results and toxicity profile of bladder-sparing treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and gemcitabine chemotherapy (ChT) in patients with MIBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between April 2005 and November 2018 44 patients with nonmetastatic and N0 MIBC were treated with transurethral resection of bladder (TURB), EBRT and concurrent gemcitabine. All patients were staged using thorax-abdomen-pelvic CT and pelvic MRI. EBRT was delivered using 3D conformal technique or intensity modulated radiotherapy. Patients received 50 Gy in 25 to 28 fractions to full bladder followed by a boost dose of 10 Gy in 5 fractions to empty bladder with weekly concurrent gemcitabine of 50 mg/m2. All patients were evaluated for age, gender, smoking status, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) at diagnosis, presence of hydroureteronephrosis (HUN), preoperative tumor size, tumor multifocality, presence of CIS, clinical tumor stage. Acute/late genitourinary (GUS) and gastrointestinal (GIS) toxicity, recurrence status, cancer specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v21.0. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were calculated to describe CSS and OS. The effect of different parameters on survival was investigated using the log rank test.

RESULTS

Median age of the patients was 72 years (interquartile [IQR]; 66-80). The median tumor size was 30 mm (IQR, 15-59 mm). Thirty-two (77%) patients had T2, 6 (14%) patients had T3, and 4 (9%) patients had T4a disease. Median NLR was 2.6 (IQR, 1.7-3.8) and median PLR was 126.47 (IQR, 77.4-184.8). Median follow-up time was 21 months (range, 6-153 months). At the first TURB performed 6 weeks after CRT, complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progression was detected in 37 (84%), 3 (7%), 1 (2%), and 3 (7%) patients, respectively. One- and 2-year OS, CSS, LRFS, and DMFS rates were 86% and 64%; 88% and 66%; 65% and 44%; 68% and 48%, respectively. In univariate analysis; prognostic factors were age and presence of HUN for OS and DMFS; age, HUN, presence of CIS, NLR, and PLR for DSS; HUN, NLR, and PLR for LRFS, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the independent predictor was the presence of HUN for OS, LRFS, and DMFS; NLR for DSS; PLR for LRFS and age for DMSF. For a subgroup of 17 patients with complete TURB and no CIS and HUN symptoms, 2-year OS, DSS, LRFS, and DMFS rates were 88%, 88%, 72%, and 79%, respectively. The treatment was well-tolerated and all patients completed the planned EBRT and ChT. No acute or late ≥ grade 3 toxicity was observed. Grade II acute GIS toxicity was detected in 3 (7%) patients and grade II acute GUS toxicity was detected in 9 (21%) patients, respectively. Grade II late GUS toxicity was observed in 2 (5%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Gemcitabine based trimodality treatment is well-tolerated with similar oncologic outcomes reported in the literature. Older age, presence of CIS and high NLR and PLR values seem to deteriorate DSS.

Prognostic Utility of Prechemoradiotherapy Albumin-to-Alkaline Phosphatase Ratio in Unresectable Locally Advanced Pancreatic Carcinoma Patients

BACKGROUND

We investigated the prognostic usefulness of prechemoradiotherapy (CRT) albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LAPAC) patients managed with definitive concurrent CRT (CCRT).

METHODS

A sum of 136 LAPAC patients who consecutively underwent definitive CCRT was retrospectively analyzed. The AAPR (serum albumin (g/dL)/serum alkaline phosphatase (IU/L)) was calculated by using the parameters obtained from the routine biochemistry tests on the first day of the CCRT. Ideal AAPR cutoff was sought by utilizing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The primary and secondary endpoints were the impact of the AAPR on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) results, respectively.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 14.8 months (range: 3.2-85.7), the median PFS and OS times were 7.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.0-9.0) and 14.9 months (95% CI: 11.9-17.9), respectively. The ideal common AAPR cutoff was identified at the rounded 0.46 (area under the curve: 72.3%; sensitivity: 71.2%; specificity: 70.3%) point that dichotomized the patients into two groups: low AAPR (L-AAPR; N = 71) and high AAPR (H-AAPR; N = 65) groups, respectively. Comparative survival analyses showed that the L-AAPR cohort had significantly shorter median PFS (6.8 (95% CI: 5.7-7.9) versus 11.3 (95% CI: 9.9-12.7) months; P = 0.005) and OS (12.8 (95% CI: 10.6-15.0) versus 19.2 (95% CI: 16.9-21.5) months; P = 0.001) durations than their H-AAPR counterparts, separately. Albeit the N1-2 (P = 0.004) and CA 19-9 > 90 U/mL (P = 0.008) were also found to be associated with inferior outcomes, yet the results of the multivariate analyses ascertained the L-AAPR as an independent indicator of diminished PFS (P = 0.003) and OS (P = 0.002) results.

CONCLUSION

The present results proposed that the pretreatment AAPR < 0.46 was a novel independent indicator of adverse PFS and OS in unresectable LAPAC patients undergoing definitive CCRT.

Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) Independently Predicts Survival in Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients Treated with First-Generation EGFR-TKIs

Background

Systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) has been reported to be an effective blood-based biomarker for predicting prognosis in various kinds of cancer patients. However, the prognostic role of SIRI in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patient remains unclear.

Methods

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prognostic role of SIRI in EGFR-mutant advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients treated with first-generation EGFR-TKIs. A total of 245 patients who received gefitinib, erlotinib, or icotinib at the Second Xiangya Hospital were retrospectively evaluated. SIRI was defined as neutrophil count×monocyte/lymphocyte count. The optimal cut-off value was determined according to receiver operation characteristic curve analysis. Characteristics of patients were compared via chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Survivals were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by the Log rank test. Multivariate analysis was estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

It is showed that high SIRI was associated with male patient, smoker, worse ECOG PS, 19-DEL mutation. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that ECOG PS, brain metastasis, SIRI were significantly correlated with progression-free survival (PFS), and gender, ECOG PS, brain metastasis, NLR and SIRI were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis showed that SIRI and ECOG PS independently predict PFS and OS.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that SIRI is an effective and convenient marker for predicting prognosis in advanced EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma patients treated with first-generation TKI.