The prognostic role of a combined fibrinogen and inflammation- based index in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

Background: The activation of inflammation and coagulation cascades plays an essential role in the development of various malignancies, including metastatic breast cancer (MBC). This retrospective study aimed to investigate the prognostic role of the combination of fibrinogen and the inflammation-based index in patients with MBC.Methods: A total of 176 patients with MBC were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical and pathological data of included patients were followed-up and analyzed. The plasma fibrinogen concentration (FIB), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were measured. Dynamic variations in the FIB, NLR, and PLR values were collected from 56 MBC patients before and after firstline therapy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess the optimal cut-off values. Correlations between FIB and NLR or PLR were evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method, two-tailed log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard model were used for statistical analysis.Results: Baseline FIB was positively correlated with NLR and PLR values in MBC patients (P<0.05).Additionally, multivariable analysis proved that the ERBB2 + subtype (P=0.023), basal-like subtype (P=0.032), targeted therapy (P=0.033), other regimens (P=0.005), and baseline FIB level (P=0.004) were independent prognostic variables for progression-free survival (PFS) in MBC patients. Furthermore, ERBB2+, basal-like subtypes, and baseline hyperfibrinogenemia were independent factors for poor prognosis in MBC patients

The prognostic value of absolute lymphocyte count and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio for patients with metastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…After reviewing all the literature, 351 articles were included through screening of the title, abstract, and full text. Finally, 29 articles were included in this meta‐analysis after strict screening ( 18 – 20 , 24 – 49 ) ( Figure 1 ). The information of all the included literature was collected and pooled, and the basic characteristics are described in Table 1 .…”

“…However, several previous meta-analyses only focus on breast cancer, and thus, there is still great uncertainty for the values of these potential prognostic biomarkers in MBC (2). Furthermore, although the ALC and NLR have been studied as prognostic markers of MBC in recent years, their prognostic values have not been determined uniformly, and different viewpoints still exist (18)(19)(20). Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, there is still a lack of relevant meta-analysis to provide relatively systematic and solid evidence regarding the prognostic value of ALC and NLR in MBC.…”

The Spatial Extracellular Proteomic Tumor Microenvironment Distinguishes Molecular Subtypes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…Its primary functions include hemostasis and wound healing by stabilizing blood clots. Other functions result from fibrinogen response to the microenvironment through many binding partners, particularly with integrins and receptors on cells associated with inflammation. , In addition to its involvement in inflammatory response, elevated serum fibrinogen levels have been linked to worse prognosis in cancers, such as such as metastatic breast cancer, lung cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ,, Meta-analyses linking elevated serum fibrinogen in HCC patients to worse prognosis and in vitro studies showing elevated fibrinogen expression in HCC cells and HCC cell adherence to fibrinogen, have led to speculation of increased fibrinogen deposition by tumors. In the current study, imaging data demonstrated that fibrinogen peptides were detected in the HCC tumors, with minimal detection in the bridging fibrosis of S3 subtypes.…”

Pretreatment fibrinogen levels are associated with survival outcome in patients with cancer using immunotherapy as a second‑line treatment

“…Kołodziejczyk et al ( 45 ) reported that the products of FIB degradation were associated with disease progression and metastasis. Liu et al ( 46 ) conducted a study that included 176 patients with metastatic breast cancer and showed that the FIB levels significantly increased after first-line therapy in patients with disease progression. Therefore, we hypothesize that FIB has a higher predictive value for the efficacy of second- or third-line therapy.…”