Mean Platelet Volume/Platelet Count Ratio and Risk of Progression in Glioblastoma

Preoperative Peripheral Blood Serotonin and Kynurenine Levels Are Associated With Oncological Outcomes in Glioblastoma IDH-wt Patients

Background

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential contribution of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism via the kynurenine (KP) and serotonin (SP) pathways in Glioblastoma (GBM) biology. This study aims to address the association between pre-operative peripheral blood levels of TRP, kynurenine (KYN), 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HTP), and serotonin (5-HT) and relevant oncological outcomes in GBM IDH-wt patients.

Methods

This is a single-center, retrospective clinical study. Serum from 62 adult patients undergoing maximal safe resection of newly diagnosed glioblastoma WHO-grade 4 IDH-wt (GBM) and n = 27 healthy controls were analyzed. The variables of interest were dichotomized via maximally selected rank statistics. Kaplan Meier and Cox multivariate regression analysis were conducted to explore the single contributions of these parameters in building a predictive model of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in these patients.

Results

The mean baseline serum levels of 5-HT, KYN, and 5-HTP were significantly lower in GBM when compared to n = 27 healthy individuals (P < .001). Patients with 5-HT <78 ng/mL had a median OS of 14.4 months compared to 22.5 months in patients with increased levels (P = .01). Shorter OS was observed in patients with KYN <18 ng/mL (9.8 vs 17.5 months, P = .002), KYN/TRP <2.55 (11.4 vs 17.1, P = .002), 5-HTP/TRP <0.89 (11.5 vs 17.6 months, P = .02), and 5-HT/TRP <5.78 (13.4 vs 19.1 months, P = .002) compared to patients with high levels. Shorter PFS in patients with 5-HT <78 ng/mL (P = .04), KYN <18 ng/mL (P = .02), 5-HT/TRP <5.78 (P = .001), KYN/TRP <2.55 (P = .005). Reduced KYN, 5-HTP, and 5-HT were independent predictors of poor OS.

Conclusions

This study highlights an intriguing association between the degradation of TRP along the KP and SP and median survival times in GBM. Decreased KYN, 5-HTP, and 5-HT levels were associated with shorter OS.

Pre‑operative mean platelet volume is associated with overall survival in patients with IDH‑wildtype glioblastoma undergoing maximal safe resection

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common, fast-growing, and aggressive malignant primary CNS tumor, with a survival time of ~15 months despite the use of surgery and adjuvant treatments. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential contribution of hemostasis and platelet activation in GBM biology. The present study assessed the association between the pre-operative coagulation profile [as indicated by prothrombin time (PT) ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ratio], overall platelets (PLT) count and the mean platelet volume (MPV) with tumoral characteristics and overall survival in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype (IDH-wt) GBM.

Mean platelet volume/platelet count ratio can predict the recurrence-free survival rate of patients after complete resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Purpose

The aim of this study is to compare mean platelet volume/platelet count ratio (PVPR) and other indicators' predictive abilities. Simultaneously, a new nomogram for predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) after gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) R0 resection was developed.

Methods

From January 2010 to July 2019, 295 patients with GIST who were operated on at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. With a 4-year RFS as the end point, using the Kaplan-Meier methods and log rank test, and then conducting Cox regression analysis, we compared and identified meaningful indicators for predicting prognosis. Finally, a nomogram was developed and validated using calibration curves.

Results

The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that a cutoff point of 0.044 was the ideal threshold for PVPR, and patients were divided into a high-PVPR group (≤0.044) and a low-PVPR group (>0.044). Kaplan-Meier curves suggested that PVPR>0.044 had obvious associations with better RFS (p < 0.001). In accordance with multivariate analysis, PVPR (>0.044 vs. ≤0.044) (p = 0.005), National Institutes of Health (NIH) risk category (p < 0.001), and Ki-67 (p = 0.005) were the independent prognostic indicators of RFS. Tumor size, gastrointestinal bleeding, mitotic index, NIH risk category, CD34, and Ki-67 all exhibited an obvious correlation with PVPR (all p < 0.05). The nomogram's probability of concordance was 0.823, indicating that the nomogram predictions were well calibrated.

Conclusion

In GISTs, RFS can be independently predicted by PVPR. Patients with higher PVPR have better RFS. The nomogram including PVPR could be used to assist clinical treatment decision-making.

Mood disorders and 5-HTR2A genetic variants - the moderator effect of inflammation on expression of affective polarity phenotype

BACKGROUND

Although repeatedly confirmed, the molecular nature of gene-environment (GxE) interactions has rarely been investigated in the clinical context of mood disorders. This study assesses the relationship between HTR2A genetic variants and the modulatory effect of inflammation in a collective cohort of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD), as a unified group with two distinct phenotypes.

METHODS

The study included 138 patients with acute mood episodes (BD = 83; MDD = 55). HTR2A rs6313 and rs6314 genotyping was performed while measuring platelet-derived indicators of inflammation (platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit, and platelet distribution width) and the MPV/PLT ratio.

RESULTS

The HTR2A rs6313 variant is a significant predictor of the polarity phenotype in mood disorders, with the MPV/PLT ratio moderating this relationship, but only under low-inflammatory conditions. In more pronounced inflammatory states, genetic influences lose their predictive role.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the complex interplay between platelet-derived indicators of inflammation and HTR2A variants in the context of mood disorders. Without pro-inflammatory conditions, mood disorders seem to be more genetically determined. Under pro-inflammatory conditions, phenotypic presentation is less dependent on genetic factors. GxE interactions in mood disorders are multifaceted, context-dependent and relevant for assessing their clinical presentation and course.

Serum microRNA-4297 is a sex-specific predictive biomarker of glioma grade and prognosis

Background

Gliomas account for nearly 80% of brain cancers, tending to occur more frequently in men with adverse outcomes. Emerging microRNAs have been positioned as promising predictors for glioma's histological grade and prognosis. However, there have been few studies concerning the sex-biased impacts on the clinical approach for the potential microRNA-4297 (miR-4297).

Methods

We utilized GSE139031micro-RNAs profiling to analyze serum miR-4297 expression in glioma. A total of 114 newly diagnosed glioma patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2017 to February 2021 were recruited and prospectively followed up. The association of miR-4297 levels with glioma grade and prognosis was investigated. Luciferase reporter gene assays and genotype analyses were carried out to explore the potential mechanism of sexually dimorphic miR-4297 in glioma.

Results

Serum miR-4297 levels were notably down-regulated in glioma. Besides, serum miR-4297 levels were positively associated with the high grades, which were exclusively present for females. The positive correlations of miR-4297 with O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) protein and mean platelet volume were also observed in females. IDH-mutant females had decreased miR-4297. Median PFS time for females with miR-4297 ≥ 1.392 was distinctly shorter than those with miR-4297 <1.392 (12.3 months vs. 42.89 months, p = 0.0289). Based on multivariate logistic regression, miR-4297-based equation model was established as FHGRS. AU-ROC analysis revealed FHGRS exhibited a robust performance in predicting high-grade glioma in females (p < 0.001), whereas there was no such relationship in males. Furthermore, the MGMT-3'UTR variant rs7896488 in the specific binding region of miR-4297 was correlated with prognosis.

Conclusion

Our study uncovers sex-dependent characterization of serum miR-4297 in predicting glioma grade and the relapse risk for female patients, which underscores the clinical benefits of sex-specific analysis in non-coding RNA research.

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width to Platelet Count Ratio Facilitates Preoperative Prediction of Recurrence in Surgically Treated Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Objective

Recent studies have demonstrated emerging evidence of the role of inflammation in the growth and recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). Red blood cell distribution width to platelet count ratio (RPR) is a novel biomarker for inflammation in cancer, cardiac, and inflammatory diseases. The present retrospective study investigated the impact of RPR on recurrence after burr hole surgery for cSDH in 297 patients.

Methods

The optimal cut-off value for RPR was defined as ≥0.0568 according to the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC:0.64, 95%CI:0.55-0.72, p = 0.007). The study cohort was dichotomized into low (n = 157) and high (n = 140) RPR groups.

Results

Significant differences between the groups were identified regarding American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification and frequency of anticoagulant intake. Demographics, comorbidities, size, morphology, and mass effect of cSDH were homogeneously distributed among the RPR groups. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis considering location, midline-shift, septation, RPR, anticoagulant intake, sex, and ASA classification revealed that an increased baseline RPR (≥0.0568, OR: 3.1, 95%CI: 1.4-6.8, p = 0.004), and preoperative midline-shift (≥5 mm, OR: 2.7, 95%CI: 1.3-6.0, p = 0.01) are independent predictors of recurrent cSDH.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest RPR as a novel inflammatory biomarker enabling risk stratification of recurrence after burr hole surgery for cSDH and might facilitate tailored medical decision making.

Comparing prognostic value of preoperative platelet indexes in patients with resectable gastric cancer

The ratio of mean platelet volume (MPV) to count (PC) (MPV/PC) has been applied in the diagnosis and prognosis of various malignancies. However, the prognostic value of MPV/PC in gastric cancer has not been studied yet. This study aims to explore the prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), combined neutrophil-platelet score (CNPS), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and MPV/PC in patients with resectable gastric cancer. In this study, the medical records of patients with gastric cancer in two centers were retrospectively analyzed. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank were tests applied to analyze the survival differences of patients with various inflammation indexes. A nomogram prognostic model was established to predict the 3- and 5-year survival rate of patients with resectable gastric cancer. In the two cohorts, Kaplan-Meier analysis that the postoperative survival time of gastric cancer patients with low MPV/PC, high NLR, high PLR and high SII was significantly shorter than that of patients with high MPV/PC, low NLR, low PLR or low SII. Compared with NLR, PLR, SII and CNPS, MPV/PC was more accurate in determining the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer than other indexes, and multivariate analysis confirmed that MPV/PC was an independent prognostic factor for patients with resectable gastric cancer. The nomogram model established based on tumor size, TNM stage and MPV/PC was more accurate than TNM stage in predicting the 3- and 5-year survival rate of patients with resectable gastric cancer. Preoperative MPV/PC is a new independent prognostic index and a potential marker for treatment response monitoring in patients with resectable gastric cancer. The nomogram model for postoperative prognosis of gastric cancer established based on MPV/PC, tumor size and TNM stage is helpful for developing more accurate and timely individualized therapeutic regimens.

A Multielement Prognostic Nomogram Based on a Peripheral Blood Test, Conventional MRI and Clinical Factors for Glioblastoma

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most malignant types of tumors in the central nervous system, and the 5-year survival remains low. Several studies have shown that preoperative peripheral blood tests and preoperative conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examinations affect the prognosis of GBM patients. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a risk score based on a preoperative peripheral blood test and conventional MRI and develop a multielement prognostic nomogram for GBM.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 131 GBM patients. Determination of the association between peripheral blood test variables and conventional MRI variables and prognosis was performed by univariate Cox regression. The nomogram model, which was internally validated using a cohort of 56 GBM patients, was constructed by multivariate Cox regression. RNA sequencing data from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA datasets were used to determine peripheral blood test-related genes based on GBM prognosis.

Results

The constructed risk score included the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), albumin/fibrinogen (AFR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and center point–to-ventricle distance (CPVD). A final nomogram was developed using factors associated with prognosis, including age, sex, the extent of tumor resection, IDH mutation status, radiotherapy status, chemotherapy status, and risk. The Area Under Curve (AUC) values of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve were 0.876 (12-month ROC), 0.834 (24-month ROC) and 0.803 (36-month ROC) in the training set and 0.906 (12-month ROC), 0.800 (18-month ROC) and 0.776 (24-month ROC) in the validation set. In addition, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) was closely associated with NLR and LMR and identified as the most central negative gene related to the immune microenvironment and influencing immune activities.

Conclusion

The risk score was established as an independent predictor of GBM prognosis, and the nomogram model exhibit appropriate predictive power. In addition, VEGFA is the key peripheral blood test-related gene that is significantly associated with poor prognosis.

A Simple Preoperative Blood Count to Stratify Prognosis in Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-Wildtype Glioblastoma Patients Treated with Radiotherapy plus Concomitant and Adjuvant Temozolomide

PURPOSE

The survival times of glioblastoma (GB) patients after the standard therapy including safe maximal resection followed by radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide are heterogeneous. In order to define a simple, reliable method for predicting whether patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype GB treated with the standard therapy will be short- or long-term survivors, we analyzed the correlation of preoperative blood counts and their combined forms with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in these patients.

METHODS

Eighty-five patients with primary IDH-wildtype GB treated with the standard therapy between 2012 and 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to investigate the survival function of preoperative hematological parameters.

RESULTS

Preoperative high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR, >2.42), high platelet count (>236 × 10⁹/L), and low red blood cell (RBC) count (≤4.59 × 10¹²/L) were independent prognostic factors for poorer OS (p = 0.030, p = 0.030, and p = 0.004, respectively). Moreover, a high NLR was an independent prognostic factor for shorter PFS (p = 0.010). We also found that, like NLR, preoperative high derived NLR (dNLR, >1.89) was of poor prognostic value for both PFS (p = 0.002) and OS (p = 0.033). A significant correlation was observed between NLR and dNLR (r = 0.88, p < 0.001), which had a similar prognostic power for OS (NLR: AUC = 0.58; 95% CI: [0.48; 0.68]; dNLR: AUC = 0.62; 95% CI: [0.51; 0.72]). Two scores, one based on preoperative platelet and RBC counts plus NLR and the other on preoperative platelet and RBC counts plus dNLR, were found to be independent prognostic factors for PFS (p = 0.006 and p = 0.002, respectively) and OS (p < 0.001 for both scores).

CONCLUSION

Cheap, routinely ordered, preoperative assessments of blood markers, such as NLR, dNLR, RBC, and platelet counts, can predict the survival outcomes of patients with IDH-wildtype GB treated with the standard therapy.