Association between C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer: From the investigation on nutrition status and clinical outcome of common cancers study

Significance of Pre-Treatment CALLY Score Combined with EBV-DNA Levels for Prognostication in Non-Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients: A Clinical Perspective

Background

The C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) score is a novel indicator associated with inflammation, immunity, and nutrition, utilized for cancer prognostic stratification. This study aimed to evaluate the integrated prognostic significance of the pre-treatment CALLY score and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and to develop prognostic models.

Patients and Methods

A total of 1707 NPC patients from September 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively enrolled. The cut-off point for the CALLY score, determined by maximum selected rank statistics, integrates with the published cut-off point for pre-EBV DNA to develop a comprehensive index. Subsequently, patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio into training and validation cohorts. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method with Log rank tests, and the Cox proportional hazards model was applied to identify independent prognostic factors for constructing predictive nomograms. The predictive ability of the nomograms were assessed through the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.

Results

By integrating CALLY scores and EBV-DNA levels, patients were categorized into three risk clusters. Kaplan-Meier curves reveal significant differences in overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS) outcomes among different risk groups (all P values < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that CALLY-EBV DNA index serves as an independent prognostic factor for the OS, DMFS, and LRRFS. The prognostic nomograms based on the CALLY-EBV DNA index provided accurate predictions for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS, DMFS, and LRRFS. Additionally, compared to the traditional TNM staging system, the nomograms exhibited enhanced discriminatory power, calibration capability, and clinical applicability. All results were in agreement with the validation cohort.

Conclusion

The CALLY-EBV DNA index is an independent prognostic biomarker. The nomogram prediction models, constructed based on the CALLY-EBV DNA index, demonstrates superior predictive performance compared to the traditional TNM staging.

Clinical predictive value of the CRP-albumin-lymphocyte index for prognosis of critically ill patients with sepsis in intensive care unit: a retrospective single-center observational study

Background

Sepsis is a complex syndrome characterized by physiological, pathological, and biochemical abnormalities caused by infection. Its development is influenced by factors such as inflammation, nutrition, and immune status. Therefore, we combined C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and lymphocyte, which could reflect above status, to be the CRP-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index, and investigated its association with clinical prognosis of critically ill patients with sepsis.

Methods

This retrospective observational study enrolled critically ill patients with sepsis who had an initial CRP, albumin, and lymphocyte data on the first day of ICU admission. All data were obtained from the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University. The patients were divided into quartiles (Q1-Q4) based on their CALLY index. The outcomes included 30-/60-day mortality and acute kidney injury (AKI) occurrence. The association between the CALLY index and these clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 1,123 patients (63.0% male) were included in the study. The 30-day and 60-day mortality rates were found to be 28.1 and 33.4%, respectively, while the incidence of AKI was 45.6%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant association between higher CALLY index and lower risk of 30-day and 60-day mortality (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that the CALLY index was independently associated with 30-day mortality [HR (95%CI): 0.965 (0.935-0.997); p = 0.030] and 60-day mortality [HR (95%CI): 0.969 (0.941-0.997); p = 0.032]. Additionally, the multivariate logistic regression model showed that the CALLY index served as an independent risk predictor for AKI occurrence [OR (95%CI): 0.982 (0.962-0.998); p = 0.033].

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicated a significant association between the CALLY index and both 30-day and 60-day mortality, as well as the occurrence of AKI, in critically ill patients with sepsis. These findings suggested that the CALLY index may be a valuable tool in identifying sepsis patients who were at high risk for unfavorable outcomes.

Inflammation, Immunonutritive, and Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers in Men With Alcohol Use Disorder

OBJECTIVE

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a significant public health issue associated with serious health risks. This study aims to reveal the relationship between AUD and inflammatory, immunonutritive, and cardiovascular risk markers by evaluating hemogram and biochemistry parameters together in AUD.

METHOD

The data of 54 male patients with AUD and 45 male controls were included in the study. Sociodemographic-clinical data of the participants and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) results were obtained from medical records. Systemic immune inflammation index (SII) was obtained with the platelet x neutrophil/lymphocyte formula; systemic immune response index (SIRI) was obtained with the monocyte x neutrophil/lymphocyte formula, plasma atherogenicity index (AIP) was obtained with the ratio of triglyceride to High-density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index was obtained with the albumin x lymphocyte/CRP x 104 formula.

RESULTS

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) activities, neutrophil, CRP, ferritin, SII, and SIRI levels were significantly higher in those with AUD compared to controls. Laboratory results of those with AUD were consistent with atherogenic dyslipidemia; higher triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and AIP values were found compared to controls. The amount of alcohol consumed was a predictor for high SII, SIRI, and AIP levels. The CALLY index, which evaluates immune function, inflammation, and nutritional status together, was significantly lower in patients compared to controls. The amount of alcohol use and the total AUDIT score were predictors for a low CALLY index.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study support that AUD is a chronic inflammatory psychiatric disorder. We suggest that new inflammatory, immunonutritive, and cardiovascular biomarkers SII, SIRI, AIP, and CALLY index could be promising clinical tools to evaluate the severity, potential complications, and treatment response of AUD.

The effect of indicators of CALLY index on survival in glioblastoma

INTRODUCTION

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Recently, research has been published on the potential prognostic indicators associated with different types of cancer. Due to the limited availability of data investigating the relationship between the CALLY index and glioblastoma patients, we aimed to conduct this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2017 and December 2023, we conducted a study on patients diagnosed with glioblastoma. We collected demographic data and routine laboratory tests at the time of admission. To calculate the CALLY index, we used the formula (albumin value × lymphocyte count) / CRP value × 104. Parameters were compared for in-hospital mortality across different groups.

RESULTS

The study analyzed 202 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 165 (81.7%) were classified as "survivors" and 37 (18.3%) as "deceased." A comparison of hematologic parameters between the two groups showed a significantly lower CALLY index in the "deceased" group (3.05 (4.92)) compared to the "survivor" group (10.13 (13.69)) (p < 0.001). The study compared the parameters between groups with regard to in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of the study, we conclude that the CALLY index can be considered an easily applicable indicator for the mortality of glioblastoma patients.

Prognostic Value of CRP-Albumin-Lymphocyte (CALLY) Index in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Breast Cancer

Purpose

According to the 2023 global cancer data, breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor among women in the world. Its occurrence and development is influenced by inflammation, nutrition, and immune status. Therefore, this study combines C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and lymphocyte, which can reflect the above states, to form the CRP-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index, an indicator to evaluate its relationship with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in breast cancer patients.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data of 174 patients with breast cancer. The optimal cutoff for the preoperative CALLY index was identified by considering the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve; subsequently, the discriminatory ability of the cutoff was determined. The effect of the CALLY index on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. The CALLY index was calculated as: (Albumin × Lymphocyte)/(CRP × 104).

Results

The cut-off value of the CALLY index was determined at 2.285. With a cut-off value of 2.285, patients were divided into two groups: those with CALLY <2.285 and those with CALLY ≥2.285. CALLY Index ≥ 2.285 was associated with better survival outcomes. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that TNM stage and CALLY index were prognostic factors that affected OS and DFS.

Conclusion

The CALLY index is a new prognostic biomarker for breast cancer patients after surgery. This new CALLY index allows for suitable patients with a poor prognosis to receive postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Clinical Impact of the C-reactive Protein-albumin-lymphocyte Index in Post-gastrectomy Patients With Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Recently, preoperative inflammatory, immune, and nutritional statuses have attracted attention as prognostic factors in post-curative gastrectomy patients with gastric cancer (GC). The usefulness of the C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index as a prognostic factor in patients with various cancers, has been reported. However, reports on the clinical significance of the CALLY index in patients with GC after gastrectomy remain inadequate. In this prospective study, we focused on the preoperative CALLY index and investigated its usefulness as a prognostic factor in patients with GC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included 459 patients who underwent gastrectomy for GC between December 2013 and November 2017 at Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa, Japan. The preoperative CALLY index was calculated based on the preoperative blood test data. Patients were divided into high- and low-CALLY groups. The associations of the preoperative CALLY scores with clinicopathological factors, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after gastrectomy for GC were evaluated.

RESULTS

The low-CALLY group was significantly older, had higher venous invasion, and a more progressive pStage than did the high-CALLY group. OS and RFS after gastrectomy in the low-CALLY group were significantly worse than those in the high-CALLY group (77.9% vs. 88.9%; p<0.001 and 73.8% vs. 87.1%; p<0.001, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, a low CALLY score was an independent prognostic factor of worse OS and RFS.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative CALLY levels may be a useful prognostic predictor in patients with GC after curative gastrectomy.

Prognostic value of preoperative combined with postoperative systemic immune-inflammation index for disease-free survival after radical rectal cancer surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks highly in malignant tumor incidence and mortality rates, severely affecting human health. The predictive value of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in CRC prognosis is gaining attention, but there is limited research on the combined preoperative and postoperative SII. This study aims to explore the prognostic value of combined SII on disease-free survival (DFS) in patients undergoing radical surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods

We enrolled 292 patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical resection at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from May 2018 to September 2020, along with regular follow-ups to document the DFS. Patients' complete blood cell counts were assessed before surgery and between 21-56 days postoperatively. Calculating preoperative and postoperative SII, patients were categorized into four groups based on the optimal cutoff values: (I) low-low group (preoperative SII <449.325 and postoperative SII <568.13); (II) high-low group (preoperative SII ≥449.325 and postoperative SII <568.13); (III) low-high group (preoperative SII <449.325 and postoperative SII ≥568.13); and (IV) high-high group (preoperative SII ≥449.325 and postoperative SII ≥568.13). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis evaluated the prediction efficacy of preoperative, postoperative, and combined SII. Kaplan-Meier analysis generated DFS curves, and Cox regression analysis determined prognostic factors.

Results

With a median follow-up of 41 months, 65.4% (191/292) patients reached DFS. The clinical pathological features between the four groups are balanced and comparable (P>0.05). The area under the ROC curve for preoperative, postoperative, and combined SII was 0.668 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6-0.737], 0.696 (95%CI: 0.63-0.763), and 0.741 (95% CI: 0.681-0.802), respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors such as adjuvant therapy, differentiation, vascular invasion, neural invasion, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), significant differences were observed between the high-low group [hazard ratio (HR) =2.403; 95% CI: 1.255-4.602; P=0.008], low-high group (HR =5.058; 95% CI: 2.389-10.71; P<0.001), and high-high group (HR =6.214; 95% CI: 3.474-11.115; P<0.001) compared to the low-low group, with higher risks of adverse outcomes.

Conclusions

Combined SII has better predictive efficacy than monitoring preoperative or postoperative SII alone in rectal cancer patients undergoing radical surgery.

Clinical significance of preoperative CALLY index for prognostication in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing surgery

The C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index has been identified as a useful and sensitive predictive tool for stratification in cancers. This investigation aimed to validate the prognostic ability of CALLY in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Clinical characteristics of 318 patients with ESCC who underwent radical excision were gathered and analyzed retrospectively. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) model was used to determine an ideal threshold of CALLY due to the non-linear relation. To investigate the predictors, Cox hazard regression analysis was used. The recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), a method of risk categorization, was also developed for prognostic prediction. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) curves were used to distinguish from the traditional TNM stage. Patients were compared by groups according to the optimal threshold of CALLY index, which was depicted by the non-linear relation between the cancer-specific survival (CSS) and CALLY index (P < 0.0001). Compared to those with high CALLY index, patients with low CALLY index experienced significantly worse 5-year CSS (21.8% vs. 62.6%, P < 0.001). At different TNM stages, patients with high CALLY index also had better 5-year CSS (I: P = 0.029; II: P < 0.001; III: P < 0.001) in subgroup analyses. The hazard ratio for CSS was 0.368 and CALLY index was an independent predictive factor (P < 0.001). Using TNM stage and CALLY-based RPA algorithms, a new staging was created. The RPA model considerably outperformed the TNM classification for prognostication using ROC (P < 0.001). The DCA also demonstrated that the new model outperformed the TNM stage with significantly improved accuracy for CSS. The prognostic value of CALLY in ESCC undergoing radical resection was initially determined in this study. CALLY was substantially related to prognosis and might be utilized in conjunction with TNM to evaluate ESCC prior to surgery.

Increasing C-reactive protein levels in a patient with glioblastoma with lymph node metastasis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma usually recurs locally and extracranial metastases are rare. Most patients with extracranial metastases experience recurrence of the primary intracranial tumor. Lymph node metastases are often detected based on lymphadenopathy or symptoms caused by other metastatic sites.

CASE PRESENTATION

Herein, we report a case of glioblastoma with lymph node metastasis in which the patient was asymptomatic but exhibited gradually increasing C-reactive protein levels prior to becoming febrile 9 months after the initial C-reactive protein increase. Diagnosis of lymph node metastasis that was delayed because the patient had a fever of unknown origin, no signs of infection, and the primary intracranial tumor did not recur. Chest computed tomography indicated supraclavicular, mediastinal, and hilar lymphadenopathy, and biopsy identified lymph node metastasis of glioblastoma. This is the fifth reported case of lymph node metastasis without intracranial recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

C-reactive protein levels may be a diagnostic marker for lymph node metastasis in patients with glioblastoma. Further evaluation is needed to elucidate the role of CRP in glioblastoma with lymph node metastasis.