The prognostic and diagnostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective controlled study

Johnson, Philip J ORCID: 0000-0003-1404-0209, Dhanaraj, Sofi, Berhane, Sarah, Bonnett, Laura ORCID: 0000-0002-6981-9212 and Ma, Yuk Ting (2021) The prognostic and diagnostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective controlled study. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER, 125 (5). pp. 714-716.

Text 27 4 21 Final Revised NLR BJC MD-2020-2269R.docx - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (40kB)

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a presumed measure of the balance between neutrophil-associated pro-tumour inflammation and lymphocyte-dependent antitumour immune function, has been suggested as a prognostic factor for several cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).<h4>Methods</h4>In this study, a prospectively accrued cohort of 781 patients (493 HCC and 288 chronic liver disease (CLD) without HCC) were followed-up for more than 6 years. NLR levels between HCC and CLD patients were compared, and the effect of baseline NLR on overall survival amongst HCC patients was assessed via multivariable Cox regression analysis.<h4>Results</h4>On entry into the study ('baseline'), there was no clinically significant difference in the NLR values between CLD and HCC patients. Amongst HCC patients, NLR levels closest to last visit/death were significantly higher compared to baseline. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that NLR was an independent prognostic factor, even after adjustment for the HCC stage.<h4>Conclusion</h4>NLR is a significant independent factor influencing survival in HCC patients, hence offering an additional dimension in prognostic models.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Neutrophils, Humans, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular, Liver Neoplasms, Diagnosis, Differential, Lymphocyte Count, Prognosis, Sensitivity and Specificity, Survival Analysis, Case-Control Studies, Prospective Studies, End Stage Liver Disease
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	21 Jun 2021 07:58
Last Modified:	10 Feb 2023 06:52
DOI:	10.1038/s41416-021-01445-3
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3126865