Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Surgically Resectable Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Prognostic value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

A high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) might be connected with an unfavorable tumor prognosis. We sought to conduct a meta-analysis of published studies exploring the prognostic value of NLR in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP-NEN).

Methods

We have referred to the PRISMA 2020 for the Abstracts checklist and have registered our review at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number CRD42020187679). The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were screened using words like 'neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio', 'neuroendocrine tumors', and others up to July 2024. In our study, we evaluated the significance of NLR on overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with GEP-NEN. Subgroup analysis were conducted to identify the origins of heterogeneity and examine the impact of factor grouping.

Results

We gathered 18 cohorts with 2,995 cases. All included studies were high quality, with Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) scores ranging from 6 to 8. The pooled analysis revealed that a higher NLR related to worse OS (hazard ratio (HR): 4.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) [3.35-6.29], p < 0.00001) and poor RFS (HR: 4.05, 95% CI [2.78-5.90], p < 0.00001) in patients with GEP-NEN. Subgroup analysis of race, tumor sites, and therapy showed good predictive significance, however, NLR is not effective in predicting the overall survival time of non-operative patients.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis showed that a high NLR predicted poor OS, RFS, and PFS in patients with GEP-NEN and can be used as a promising predictor.

Correlation between Neurotransmitters (Dopamine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Serotonin), Prognostic Nutritional Index, Glasgow Prognostic Score, Systemic Inflammatory Response Markers, and TNM Staging in a Cohort of Colorectal Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients

Neuroendocrine tumors are uncommon in the gastrointestinal system but can develop in the majority of the body's epithelial organs. Our goal was to examine the presence and clinical application of serum dopamine (DA), serotonin (ST), norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (EPI), in addition to determining the significance of the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), and systemic inflammatory response (SIR) markers as a prognostic factor for patients with colorectal neuroendocrine tumors (CR-NETs), in various tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages. We also wanted to identify the possible connection between them. This study included 25 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with CR-NETs and a control group consisting of 60 patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer (CRC). We used the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. This study revealed that CR-NET patients showed significantly higher serum levels of DA compared to CRC patients. We showed that serum DA was present in the early stages of CR-NETs, with increasing levels as we advanced through the TNM stages. Moreover, we found a close relationship between the levels of DA and the inflammation and nutritional status of the CR-NET patients in this study. CR-NET patients from the PNI < 47.00 subgroup had a higher level of DA than those from the PNI ≥ 47.00 subgroup. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed correlations between DA, PNI, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Both hematological indices were negatively correlated with albumin (ALB). Our investigation's findings relating to the PNI, GPS, SIR, and DA indicate that these tools can be markers of nutritional and systemic inflammatory status, are simple to use, and are repeatable. Further research on this topic could provide valuable insights into which biomarkers to incorporate into clinical practice for the management of CR-NET patients.

Prognostic value of inflammation-related biomarkers in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Hematological indicators of chronic systemic inflammation are significant biomarkers for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of certain factors on the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with GEP-NENs. These factors include the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. After searching the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from January 1, 2000 to October 20, 2022 and the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference proceedings from January 1, 2017, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify the origins of heterogeneity and examine the impact of factor grouping. The effects of the cut-off values and sample size were assessed by meta-regression. The results revealed that higher NLRs, PLRs, and CRP levels were associated with shorter OS (HR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.55-2.8; HR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.40-2.28; and HR = 2.88, 95% CI = 2.09-3.95, respectively; all p < 0.001). Higher NLRs and lower LMRs were associated with shorter DFS (HR = 3.34, 95% CI = 2.11-5.29 and HR = 2.71, 95% CI = 2.27-3.24, respectively; both p < 0.001). Higher PLRs and CRP levels were correlated with shorter PFS (HR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.34-9.03, p = 0.01 and HR = 3.14, 95% CI = 1.63-6.08, p = 0.001). As demonstrated in the research, hematological indicators of systemic inflammation are promising biomarkers for GEP-NEN assessment.

Prognostic significance of systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with nonfunction pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor undergoing surgical resection

PURPOSE

The purpose of our study was to investigate the clinical significance and prognostic role of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients who underwent surgical resection for nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 364 patients with nonfunctioning pNETs. The association between the SII level and clinical parameters was investigated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the optimal SII value. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Our study included 364 patients with nonfunctioning pNETs who underwent surgery. The median age was 51.0 (43.0, 59.3), and 164 (45.1%) were male. The optimal threshold of SII determined by ROC analysis was 523.95. Higher SII levels were significantly associated with older age (p = 0.001), sex (p = 0.011), tumor size (p = 0.032), and tumor grade (p = 0.002). Recurrence was observed in 70 (19.2%) patients following a median follow-up of 98 months. Univariate analysis showed that higher SII (p < 0.0001), tumor size >4 cm (p = 0.015), and G2/G3 grade (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with disease-free survival (DFS). Multivariate analysis revealed that higher SII (HR: 7.35; 95% CI: 3.44, 15.70; p < 0.0001) and G2/G3 grade (HR: 3.11; 95% CI: 1.42, 6.82; p = 0.005) remained significantly associated with tumor recurrence. Furthermore, 46 (12.6%) patients died during the follow-up. Higher SII (HR: 8.43; 95% CI: 3.19, 22.72; p < 0.0001) and G2/G3 grade (HR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.01, 9.86; p = 0.048) were independent predictors of overall survival (OS) by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our study revealed that a higher SII level was associated with tumor-related features (larger tumor size and advanced grade) and subsequent shorter DFS and OS in patients with nonfunctioning pNETs. These results indicated that the SII could serve as an efficient prognostic biomarker for nonfunctioning pNETs.

Predicting the survival probability of functional neuroendocrine tumors treated with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy: Serbian experience

Introduction

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a treatment option for well-differentiated, somatostatin receptor positive, unresectable or/and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Although high disease control rates seen with PRRT a significant number NET patients have a short progression-free interval, and currently, there is a deficiency of effective biomarkers to pre-identify these patients. This study is aimed at determining the prognostic significance of biomarkers on survival of patients with NETs in initial PRRT treatment.

Methodology

We retrospectively analyzed 51 patients with NETs treated with PRRT at the Department for nuclear medicine, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, Serbia, with a five-year follow-up. Eligible patients with confirmed inoperable NETs, were retrospectively evaluated hematological, blood-based inflammatory markers, biochemical markers and clinical characteristics on disease progression. In accordance with the progression og the disease, the patients were divided into two groups: progression group (n=18) and a non-progression group (n=33). Clinical data were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 51 patients (Md=60, age 25-75 years) were treated with PRRT, of whom 29 (56.86%) demonstrated stable disease, 4 (7.84%) demonstrated a partial response, and 14 (27.46%) demonstrated progressive disease and death was recorded in 4 (7.84%) patients. The mean PFS was a 36.22 months (95% CI 30.14-42.29) and the mean OS was 44.68 months (95% CI 37.40-51.97). Univariate logistic regression analysis displayed that age (p<0.05), functional tumors (p<0.05), absolute neutrophil count (p<0.05), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio-NLR (p<0.05), C-reactive protein-CRP (p<0.05), CRP/Albumin (p<0.05), alanine aminotransferase-ALT (p<0.05), were risk factors for disease progression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis exhibited that functional tumors (p<0.001), age (p<0.05), CRP (p<0.05), and ALT (p<0.05), were independent risk factors for the disease progression in patients with NETs. Tumor functionality was the most powerful prognostic factor. The median PFS (11.86 ± 1.41 vs. 43.38 ± 3.16 months; p=0.001) and OS (21.81 ± 2.70 vs 53.86 ± 3.70, p=0.001) were significantly shorter in patients with functional than non-functional NETs respectively.

Conclusion

The study's results suggest that tumor functionality, and certain biomarkers may serve as prognostic survival indicators for patients with NETs undergoing PRRT. The findings can potentially help to identify patients who are at higher risk of disease progression and tailor treatment strategies accordingly.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Adds Valuable Information Regarding the Presence of DKA in Children with New-Onset T1DM

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute life-threatening complication occurring mainly at the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker for systemic inflammation, has recently generated increasing interest in many chronic diseases. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in association with DKA severity across these cases. A total of 155 children with new-onset type 1 DM from one large center were included in the study. Total and differential leukocyte counts were measured upon admission and calculation of the NLR was performed. Patients were classified into four groups: without DKA, mild, moderate, and severe DKA at disease onset. Total WBCs, neutrophils, and monocytes increased with DKA severity (p-value < 0.005), while eosinophiles displayed an inverse relationship (p-value < 0.001). Median NLR scores increased from those without ketoacidosis (1.11) to mild (1.58), moderate (3.71), and severe (5.77) ketoacidosis groups. The statistical threshold value of the NLR in predicting DKA was 1.84, with a sensitivity of 80.2% and a specificity of 80%. Study findings indicate that a higher NLR score adds valuable information regarding the presence of DKA in children with new-onset T1DM.

Inflammation Related to Obesity in the Etiopathogenesis of Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are rare neoplasms, which, due to their heterogeneous nature, non-specific symptoms, and lack of specific tumor markers pose many diagnostic and clinical challenges. In recent years, the effectiveness of GEP-NEN diagnosis has increased, which is probably associated with the greater availability of diagnostic tests and the cooperation of many experienced specialists in various scientific disciplines. In addition to the possible genetic etiology, the cause of GEP-NET development is not fully understood. Inflammation and obesity are known risks that contribute to the development of many diseases. Chronic inflammation accompanying obesity affects the hormonal balance and cell proliferation and causes the impairment of the immune system function, leading to neoplastic transformation. This review explores the role of inflammation and obesity in GEP-NETs. The exact mechanisms inducing tumor growth are unknown; however, the profile of inflammatory factors released in the GEP-NET tumor microenvironment is responsible for the progression or inhibition of tumor growth. Both the excess of adipose tissue and the impaired function of the immune system affect not only the initiation of cancer but also reduce the comfort and lifetime of patients.

The Predicting Role of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for the Tumor Grade and Prognosis in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

This study aims to investigate the prognostic role of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) using meta-analysis. This study evaluates the correlation between the NLR and the prognosis in PNETs from nine eligible studies. In addition, a subgroup analysis based on the tumor grade, treatment, and evaluation criteria, was conducted. The estimated rate of a high NLR was 0.253 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.198–0.317). The rate of high NLRs was significantly lower in patients with lower tumor grades (G1) than those with higher tumor grades (G2 or G3). In addition, the mean value of the NLR was significantly lower in lower tumor grades than in higher tumor grades. High NLRs were significantly correlated with worse overall and recurrence-free survivals (hazard ratio (HR) 2.180, 95% CI 1.499–3.169 and HR 2.462, 95% CI 1.677–3.615, respectively). In a subgroup analysis, the prognostic implications of the NLR were found in both higher and lower criteria of a high NLR. Taken together, our results show that the NLR could be useful for predicting the tumor grade and the prognosis in PNETs.

Hematological Markers as Predictors of Treatment Outcomes with Lutetium 177 (177Lu)-DOTATATE in Patients with Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors

Background: Chronic inflammation has been linked to the development and prognosis of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The current study intended to evaluate the role of peripheral hematological inflammatory markers, viz. the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio, as predictors of treatment outcomes in patients with advanced NETs after Lutetium-177(177Lu)-DOTATATE therapy. Materials and Methods: Data of consecutive patients with advanced metastatic and/or inoperable NETs treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE from the year 2012 to 2019 at the authors' center were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Forty-two NET patients (median age: 49.5 years) received a median cumulative activity of 29.6 GBq of 177Lu-DOTATATE over 2-5 cycles at 8-12-week intervals. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the study cohort was 30 months (95% confidence interval, CI: 18.2-41.9 months). A baseline PLR ≥173.1 was found to be a significant predictor of poor PFS with a univariate hazard ratio of 3.82 (95% CI: 1.21-12.03); however, the association was not significant on multivariate analysis. The median overall survival was not reached and none of the parameters were significantly associated with it. Conclusions: A higher baseline PLR was shown to be associated with a negative outcome on PFS after 177Lu-DOTATATE therapy and is a promising marker for future larger studies.

Serum Inflammation-based Scores in Endocrine Tumors

CONTEXT

Serum inflammation-based scores reflect systemic inflammatory response and/or patients' nutritional status, and may predict clinical outcomes in cancer. While these are well-described and increasingly used in different cancers, their clinical usefulness in the management of patients with endocrine tumors is less known.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A comprehensive PubMed search was performed using the terms "endocrine tumor," "inflammation," "serum inflammation-based score," "inflammatory-based score," "inflammatory response-related scoring," "systemic inflammatory response markers," "neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio," "neutrophil-to-platelet ratio," "lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio," "Glasgow prognostic score," "neutrophil-platelet score," "Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index," and "Prognostic Nutrition Index" in clinical studies.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are the ones most extensively investigated in patients with endocrine tumors. Other scores have also been considered in some studies. Several studies focused in finding whether serum inflammatory biomarkers may stratify the endocrine tumor patients' risk and detect those at risk for developing more aggressive and/or refractory disease, particularly after endocrine surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the different serum inflammation-based scores and their usefulness in predicting the phenotype, clinical aggressiveness, and disease outcomes and prognosis in patients with endocrine tumors. The value of such serum inflammation-based scores in the management of patients with endocrine tumors has been emerging over the last decade. However, further research is necessary to establish useful markers and their cut-offs for routine clinical practice for individual diseases.

The Correlation of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and the Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio With Pathological Findings in Neuroendocrine Tumors

Introduction The relationship between clinical prognostic factors and blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in some tumors has been investigated. In this study, we examined whether there is a relationship between pathological prognostic factors and NLR as well as PLR only in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Methods A total of 115 patients with a NET diagnosis between 2014-2020 were included in the study. The efficiency of NLR and PLR in predicting distant metastases was determined by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The relationship between histopathological parameters was also compared. Results The cut-off value of NLR was 3.01 for predicting distant metastasis. At this value, the specificity was 73.7%, the sensitivity was 70.7%, and the likelihood ratio was 2.51. There was a significant relationship between NLR and tumor localization, histological grade, mitosis, Ki-67, distant metastasis, and lymphovascular invasion (all p<0.001). The cut-off value of the PLR in predicting distant metastasis was 134.4. At this value, the specificity was 59.6%, the sensitivity was 58.6%, and the likelihood ratio was 1.44. There was no significant relationship between PLR and the histopathological findings (all p>0.05). Conclusions In our study, a high histological grade, high mitosis, a high Ki-67 proliferation index, distant metastasis, and lymphovascular invasion were found in patients with NLR at a cut-off value above 3.01. However, we could not attain the same results for PLR. For trucut and endoscopic biopsies in particular, follow-up of patients with grades 1 and 2 NETs along with histopathological findings and evaluation of NLR in peripheral blood may be useful. NLR, which is an easily accessible inflammatory marker, can be used as an independent predictive factor in NETs.

Increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts recurrence in patients with well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm based on the 2017 World Health Organization classification

Background

The prognostic values of inflammation-based markers in well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, diagnosed according to the new 2017 World Health Organization classification, have remained unclear. Therefore, we assessed the ability to predict the recurrence of such markers after curative resection in patients with these neoplasms.

Methods

Circulating/systemic neutrophil–lymphocyte, monocyte–lymphocyte, platelet–lymphocyte, and platelet–white cell ratios were evaluated in 120 patients who underwent curative resection for well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms without synchronous distant metastasis between 2001 and 2018. Recurrence-free-survival and overall survival were compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank tests. Univariate or multivariate analyses, using a Cox proportional hazards model, were used to calculate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Univariate analysis demonstrated that preoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, tumor size, European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society TMN classification, 2017 World Health Organization classification, and venous invasion were associated with recurrence. The optimal preoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio cut-off value was 2.62, based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In multivariate analysis, a higher preoperative neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (HR = 3.49 95% CI 1.05–11.7; P = 0.042) and 2017 World Health Organization classification (HR = 8.81, 95% CI 1.46–168.2; P = 0.015) were independent recurrence predictors.

Conclusions

The circulating/systemic neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio is a useful and convenient preoperative prognostic marker of recurrence in patients with well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm based on the 2017 World Health Organization classification.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-021-01178-3.

Markers of Systemic Inflammation in Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Pooled Analysis of the RADIANT-3 and RADIANT-4 Studies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of systemic markers of inflammation on the outcomes in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) treated with everolimus or placebo (as measured by baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR] and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio [LMR]).

METHODS

Patient data (gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and lung NETs) from 2 large phase 3 studies, RADIANT-3 (n = 410) and RADIANT-4 (n = 302), were pooled and analyzed. The primary end point was centrally assessed progression-free survival (PFS) as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

In the pooled population, elevated LMR (median PFS, 11.1 months; 95% confidence interval, 9.3-13.7; hazard ratio, 0.69; P < 0.001) and reduced NLR (median PFS, 10.8 months; 95% confidence interval, 9.2-11.7; hazard ratio, 0.75; P = 0.0060) correlated with longer PFS among all patients. These markers were also found to be prognostic in the everolimus- and placebo-treated subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from this study suggest that LMR and NLR are robust prognostic markers for NETs and could potentially be used to identify patients who may receive or are receiving the most benefit from targeted therapies. As both are derived from a complete blood count, they can be routinely used in clinical practice, providing valuable information to clinicians and patients alike.

Are Markers of Systemic Inflammatory Response Useful in the Management of Patients With Neuroendocrine Neoplasms?

Given the increasing incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) over the past few decades, a more comprehensive knowledge of their pathophysiological bases and the identification of innovative NEN biomarkers represents an urgent unmet need. There is still little advance in the early diagnosis and management of these tumors, due to the lack of sensible and specific markers with prognostic value and ability to early detect the response to treatment. Chronic systemic inflammation is a predisposing factor for multiple cancer hallmarks, as cancer proliferation, progression and immune-evading. Therefore, the relevance of inflammatory biomarkers has been identified as critical in several types of tumours, including NENs. A bidirectional relationship between chronic inflammation and development of NENs has been reported. Neuroendocrine cells can be over-stimulated by chronic inflammation, leading to hyperplasia and neoplastic transformation. As the modulation of inflammatory response represents a therapeutic target, inflammatory markers could represent a promising new key tool to be applied in the diagnosis, the prediction of response to treatment and also as prognostic biomarkers in NENs field. The present review provides an overview of the pre-clinical and clinical data relating the potentially usefulness of circulating inflammatory markers: neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), cytokines and tissue inflammatory markers (PD-1/PD-L1), in the management of NENs. (1) NLR and PLR have both demonstrated to be promising and simple to acquire biomarkers in patients with advanced cancer, including NEN. To date, in the context of NENs, the prognostic role of NLR and PLR has been confirmed in 15 and 4 studies, respectively. However, the threshold value, both for NLR and PLR, still remains not defined. (2) Cytokines seem to play a central role in NENs tumorigenesis. In particular, IL-8 levels seems to be a good predictive marker of response to anti-angiogenic treatments. (3) PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on tumour cells and on TILs, have demonstrated to be promising predictive and prognostic biomarkers in NENs. Unfortunately, these two markers have not been validated so far and further studies are needed to establish their indications and utility.

Stage predictivity of neutrophil/lymphocyte and platelet/lymphocyte ratios in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the correlations between European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENEST), Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) staging systems and pre-operative neutrophil/lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratios (PLR) in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET).

Material and Methods

Forty-four patients with diagnosed PNET were analyzed retrospectively. Accordingly, the patients' blood and clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. The correlations between laboratory parameters and tumor stages were evaluated using Eta correlation analysis. The control group was composed of volunteering healthy participants who had similarities with our study group as regards age and gender.

Results

According to ENETS classification, 34% of the patients were stage I, 25% were stage II, 20.4% were stage III and 20.4% were stage IV. NLR and PLR mean values were 2.4 and 127, respectively. NLR values of the patients in the study group were higher than those of the control group (p= 0.001). NLR and PLR values of stage I, II, III and IV patients tended to increase in parallel to the higher stages according to ENETS system (p= 0.0001 and p= 0.0001, respectively). Similarly, NLR and PLR values increased in parallel to the higher stages according to TNM system (p= 0.0001 and p= 0.0001, respectively). In addition, NLR values were found to be higher in patients with lymph node metastasis than in those without (p= 0.001).

Conclusion

Increased levels of inflammatory mediators such as NLR and PLR are associated with advanced stages of patients with PNET.

Pretreatment inflammatory indexes as prognostic predictors for survival in osteosarcoma patients

Pretreatment inflammatory indexes including neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) are associated with poor outcomes in various malignant tumors, but their prognostic value in patients with osteosarcoma is poorly known. This was a retrospective study of patients with osteosarcoma treated between 01/2010 and 12/2013 at Chongqing University Cancer Hospital. Follow-up was calculated from the date of initial histological diagnosis to December 2018 or death or loss of follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the NLR, LMR, PLR, and SII cut-off values (low (L) vs. high (H)). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Univariable and multivariable Cox analyses were performed to determine the independent prognostic factors. Patients with LNLR had better survival than those with HNLR (median, 38.0 vs. 13.0, P<0.001). Patients with LSII had better survival (26.0 vs. 10.0 months, P=0.001) than those with HSII. The areas under the curves for NLR, LMR, PLR, SII, and ALP were 0.761 (P<0.001), 0.683 (P=0.012), 0.697 (P=0.002), 0.653 (P=0.031), and 0.515 (P=0.837), respectively. In the univariable analyses, Enneking's stage, systemic chemotherapy, surgery, NLR, PLR, LMR, and SII were associated with overall survival (OS). The multivariable analysis showed that HNLR (HR=2.507; 95% CI=1.364-4.606; P=0.003) was independent unfavorable prognostic factors. This preliminary study suggests that NLR is associated with poor prognosis in osteosarcoma. NLR could be a potential prognostic marker of osteosarcoma.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms and inflammation: A complex cross-talk with relevant clinical implications

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a group of tumors originating from the neuroendocrine system. They mainly occur in the digestive system and the respiratory tract. It is well-know a strict interaction between neuroendocrine system and inflammation, which can play an important role in NEN carcinogenesis. Inflammatory mediators, which are produced by the tumor microenvironment, can favor cancer induction and progression, and can promote immune editing. On the other hand, a balanced immune system represents a relevant step in cancer prevention through the elimination of dysplastic and cancer cells. Therefore, an inflammatory response may be both pro- and anti-tumorigenic. In this review, we provide an overview concerning the complex interplay between inflammation and gastroenteropancreatic NENs, focusing on the tumorigenesis and clinical implications in these tumors.

Survival Outcomes After Metastasectomy in Melanoma Patients Categorized by Response to Checkpoint Blockade

INTRODUCTION

Checkpoint inhibitors have improved outcomes in metastatic melanoma, with 4-year overall survival (OS) of 46% for anti-PD-1 alone or 53% in combination with anti-CTLA-4. However, the median progression free survival is 6.9 and 11.5 months, respectively. Many who progress have gone on to alternative treatments, including surgery, yet the outcome of patients selected for surgery after checkpoint blockade remains unclear.

METHODS

Patients who were treated with checkpoint blockade from 2003 to 2017, followed by metastasectomy, were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional melanoma database. Response to immunotherapy was assessed at the time of surgery. Patients were categorized as having responding, isolated progressing, or multiple progressing lesions.

RESULTS

Of the 237 total patients identified, 208 (88%) had stage IV disease, and 29 (12%) had unresectable stage III disease at the start of immunotherapy. Median OS following first resection was 21 months. Median follow-up among survivors was 23 months. Complete resection at the first operation (n = 87, 37%) was associated with improved survival compared with patients with incomplete resection (n = 150, 63%) [median OS not reached (NR) vs. 10.8 months, respectively; 95% CI: 7.3, 14.8; p < 0.0001]. Patients resected for an isolated progressing or responding tumor had a longer median survival compared with those with multiple progressing lesions (NR vs. 7.8 months, 95% CI: 6.2, 11.2; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients selected for surgical resection following checkpoint blockade have a relatively favorable survival, especially if they had a response to immunotherapy and undergo complete resection of isolated progressing or responding disease.

Prognostic and predictive factors on overall survival and surgical outcomes in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: recent advances and controversies

Introduction: Recent advances in diagnostic modalities and therapeutic agents have raised the importance of prognostic factors in predicting overall survival, as well as predictive factors for surgical outcomes, in tailoring therapeutic strategies of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNENs).Areas covered: Numerous recent studies of panNEN patients report the prognostic values of a number of clinically related factors (clinical, laboratory, imaging, treatment-related factors), pathological factors (histological, classification, grading) and molecular factors on long-term survival. In addition, an increasing number of studies showed the usefulness of various factors, specifically biomarkers and molecular makers, in predicting recurrence and mortality related to surgical treatment. Recent findings (from the last 3 years) in each of these areas, as well as recent controversies, are reviewed.Expert commentary: The clinical importance of prognostic and predictive factors for panNENs is markedly increased for both overall outcome and post resection, as a result of recent advances in all aspects of the diagnosis, management and treatment of panNENs. Despite the proven prognostic utility of routinely used tumor grading/classification and staging systems, further studies are required to establish these novel prognostic factors to support their routine clinical use.

The tumor immune microenvironment in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) are a group of rare tumors that are increasing in prevalence. The complex tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays an important role in tumor development and the response to immunotherapy but is poorly understood. In this review, the components of the TIME are described in detail, including discussion about infiltrating immune cells, the immune checkpoint system, the cytokine and chemokine milieu, and immunomodulatory factors. Moreover, a comparison between TIMEs among different types of GEP-NENs and the interplay among the TIME, tumor cells, and the stromal microenvironment is described. Novel treatment options for GEP-NENs and potential biomarkers for the immune response are also characterized. We provide a comprehensive generalized review of the TIME that can inform GEP-NEN treatment strategies.

Clinical significance of the preoperative main pancreatic duct dilation and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) of the head after curative resection

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of preoperative main pancreatic duct dilation and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (PD-NLR) in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) of the head after curative resection.

METHODS

Sixty-four consecutive PNETs of the head that underwent curative resection were included in the study. Preoperative main pancreatic duct dilation (PD) was defined as a pancreatic duct dilation greater than 3 mm before surgery. Patients with both PD and an elevated NLR (> 3.13), with PD or elevated NLR, or neither of these characteristics were allocated a PD-NLR score of 2, 1, or 0, respectively. Univariate, multivariate and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to calculate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

Preoperative PD-NLR score was correlated with tumor size (P = 0.005), T-stage (P = 0.016), lymph node metastasis (P <  0.001), distant metastasis (P = 0.005), type of hormone production (P = 0.006), perineural invasion (P = 0.014), and WHO classification (P <  0.001). Patients with a high PD-NLR score had a significantly poor OS and DFS relative to those with a low PD-NLR score (P <  0.001). In the multivariate analysis, PD-NLR score was an independent predictor of OS and DFS for PNET of the head (both P <  0.05). In the analyses of the various subgroups, preoperative PD-NLR score was also a predictor of OS and DFS. Additionally, the survival predictive capability of PD-NLR score was superior to that of WHO classification.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the retrospective nature and small sample size of the present study, the results suggest that preoperative PD-NLR score can serve as an independent prognostic marker of early survival in patients with PNETs of the head undergoing curative resection. Further large prospective studies are necessary to validate our findings.

Prognostic significance of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in resectable pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with special reference to tumor-associated macrophages

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that the systemic inflammatory response induced by cancer leads to cancer progression. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is the most reliable marker to detect systemic inflammation. In this study, we investigated the significance of NLR in patients with well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) according to the World Health Organization 2017 classification.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data for patients with PanNET who underwent pancreatic resection with curative intent between January 2008 and December 2017 at six institutions. Clinicopathological factors, recurrence, and immunohistochemical staining of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) were analyzed in a total of 55 patients in this study.

RESULTS

High NLR (>3.41) in patients was significantly associated with higher white blood cell count, higher Ki-67 index, higher mitotic count, higher grade, higher incidence of lymph node metastasis, higher incidence of lymphatic and neural invasion, massive blood loss, and a large number of CD163-expressing TAMs. Recurrence-free survival of patients with high NLR was significantly poorer than that of patients with low NLR. Multivariate analysis identified high NLR, NET Grade 2 (G2) or Grade 3 (G3), and synchronous hepatic resection as independent risk factors for recurrence after curative resection.

CONCLUSIONS

NLR is a promising predictor of recurrence after pancreatectomy that needs to be further investigated and that accumulation of TAMs in the tumor could be one of the causes of NLR elevation.

Comparison of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic subjects

Objective:

To compare the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as possible parameters of systemic inflammation in hyperglycemic and normoglycemic subjects.

Methods:

A retrospective, cross-sectional study of data collected from patients tested for fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood count on the same day, between July and December 2016. Patients were divided into hyperglycemic and normoglycemic, and matched by age and sex. The data were analyzed using Epi Info™, version 7.2.1.0, for the Windows^® platform.

Results:

We enrolled 278 subjects, 139 hyperglycemic and 139 normoglycemic. The absolute number of leukocytes and neutrophils was higher in the Hyperglycemic Group (p=0.006 and p=0.004, respectively). There was no difference in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio between the Hyperglycemic Group and the Normoglycemic Group (2.1 versus 2.0; p=0.264), and both neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios showed no differences between those with HbA1c ≥7% (n=127, p=0.778) and those with HbA1c <7% (n=12, p=0.490). In contrast, the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio was lower in the Hyperglycemic Group (117.8 versus 129.6; p=0.007).

Conclusion:

Hyperglycemic subjects had a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio similar to that of normoglycemic subjects, but had a lower platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio. Future prospective studies will be useful to determine the importance and prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in the hyperglycemic state.

Elevated Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8 (TRPM8) Expression Is Correlated with Poor Prognosis in Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND The transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) was found to be expressed abnormally in a variety of tumors and is associated with unfavorable prognosis in human cancers. However, its clinical significance in pancreatic cancer (PC) is mostly unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS qRT-PCR was performed to measure the expression of TRPM8 in 110 pairs of PC tissues and the adjacent non-cancerous tissues. The association of TRPM8 expression with the clinical characters of PC patients was analyzed using the chi-square test. Furthermore, the prognostic value of TRPM8 was determined with Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS We found that the expression level of TRPM8 was significantly elevated in PC tissues compared to the non-cancerous controls (P<0.001). In addition, a close relationship was observed between elevated TRPM8 expression with large tumor size (P=0.001), advanced TNM (P=0.013), and distant metastasis (P=0.034). Survival analysis suggested that patients with high TRPM8 expression has worse OS (P=0.001) and DFS (P<0.001) than those with low TRPM8 expression. Moreover, TRPM8 was confirmed as a valuable prognostic biomarker for OS (HR=1.913; 95% CI: 1.020-3.589; P=0.043) or DFS (HR=2.374; 95% CI: 1.269-4.443; P=0.007) of PC patients. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that TRPM8 expression is significantly up-regulated in PC and it might be a useful prognostic factor for patients with PC.