Prognostic role of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundInflammatory markers are used to predict prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Previous reports of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and NPC mortality are inconsistent. This study aimed to quantify the prognostic impact of NLR on NPC.MethodsThe primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcomes were disease-specific survival (DSS), progression-free survival (PFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). We systematically searched electronic databases, identified articles reporting an association between NLR and NPC prognosis. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted, and pooled HRs for each outcome were estimated using random effect models.ResultsNine studies enrolling 5397 patients were included in the analyses. NLR greater than the cutoff value was associated with poor overall survival (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.27–1.78), disease-specific survival (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.22–1.71), progression-free survival (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.22–1.90), and distant metastasis-free survival (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.14–2.95).ConclusionsElevated NLR predicts worse OS, DSS, PFS and DMFS in patients with NPC.

Platelet count and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio as prognostic markers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Meta‐analysis

“…Thus, a decreased platelet count represents severe liver cirrhosis and is a predictor of liver-related death in patients with HCC. 67,69 To utilize the data available from the literature, meta-analyses on the influence of LMR in HNSCC and those of hematologic markers in other histological types of head and neck cancer should be conducted. The effects of other hematologic markers and of markers in other histological types of head and neck cancer have also been investigated.…”

“…Other researchers and we performed a meta-analysis regarding the association between HNSCC and platelet count and PLR in the present study, as well as between HNSCC and NLR 47 and nasopharyngeal carcinoma and NLR, PLR, and LMR. 67,69 To utilize the data available from the literature, meta-analyses on the influence of LMR in HNSCC and those of hematologic markers in other histological types of head and neck cancer should be conducted.…”

Pretreatment prognostic factors of survival and late toxicities for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy

“…It remains unclear as regards the associations of EBV-DNA, hematologic inflammatory markers, and tumor burden. EBV infection contributes the most to the carcinogenesis of NPC, and EBV-infected NPC cells harness immune cells and facilitate a protumorigenic inflammatory tumor microenvironment [ 9 ]. Some basic researches have noted the relationship between EBV infection and the activation or inhibition of these blood cells [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Pretreatment Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as a Prognostic Factor of Outcome for Patients with Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single Institution Experience

“…A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of studies with over 40,000 patients has demonstrated a negative correlation between high NLR and PFS as well as OS [14]. Furthermore, prognostic significance of NLR in the nasopharyngeal cancers has been highlighted in some recent publications from the Far East [15,16]. However, role of NLR in OSCC has largely remained unexplored.…”