The Glasgow Prognostic Score Predicts Survival Outcomes in Patients with Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) is an inflammation-related score based on C-reactive protein and albumin concentrations. Few studies have assessed the correlation between the GPS and the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the utility of the GPS in predicting the survival outcomes of patients with ES-SCLC. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated patients with ES-SCLC who had undergone chemotherapy between February 2008 and November 2021. GPS values were evaluated before the initiation of first-line chemotherapy. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: The GPS values of the 113 patients were 0 (54 patients, 48%), 1 (37 patients, 33%), and 2 (22 patients, 19%). The median follow-up duration was 10.7 months. Median PFS was 6.2, 5.6, and 3.8 months in the GPS 0, 1, and 2 groups, respectively, suggesting that the GPS 0 group had a significantly more favorable PFS than the GPS 2 group (P<0.001). Median OS was 17.1, 9.4, and 5.6 months in the GPS 0, 1, and 2 groups, respectively, suggesting that the GPS 0 group had a significantly more favorable OS than the GPS 2 group (P=0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that a GPS of 2 independently predicted unfavorable PFS (hazard ratio (HR], 2.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.68–4.88; P < 0.001) and OS (HR, 3.49 [95% CI: 1.83–6.63], P < 0.001). Conclusion: The study’s findings suggest that the GPS can predict the survival outcomes of patients with ES-SCLC who have undergone chemotherapy. The GPS is an easy-to-calculate biomarker and would be ideal for routine use in clinical settings.