Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio as predictor of cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Abstract Background Elevated pre-treatment baseline inflammation has been associated with cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) in patients with breast cancer. Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index [SII = (neutrophil × platelets)/ lymphocyte] are inflammation markers easily obtained through of the blood count. Purpose To evaluate the development of CTRCD according to pre-treatment blood inflammatory biomarkers in patients with breast cancer. To evaluate the development of CTRCD in patients with HER2+ early breast cancer according to MLR, NLR, PLR, and SII inflammatory markers obtained from pre-cancer therapy blood count. Methods Prospective cohort study including consecutive female patients ≥ 18 years with HER2+ early breast cancer who consulted at the institution's breast oncology outpatient clinic between march/2019 and march/2022. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (protocol No. 2019-0010). Furthermore, it was conducted in accordance with Resolution no.466/12 of the National Health Council. CTRCD: absolute reduction in LVEF > 10% to below 53% (2D-echocardiogram). Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, compared by the log-rank test, and discrimination ability was evaluated through area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Forty-nine patients (53.3±13.3y) were included and followed up for a median of 13.2 (IQR 25-75%: 10.8-16.1) months. CTRCD was observed in 6 (12.2%) patients. Patients with high blood inflammatory biomarkers had lower CTRCD-free survival (P < 0.050 for all, Figure A-D). MLR showed statistically significant AUC-ROC (0.802; P = 0.017). CTRCD was observed in 27.8% of patients with high MLR vs. 3.2% with low MLR (P = 0.020); negative predictive value was 96.8% (95%CI: 83.3-99.4%). Conclusions In patients with breast cancer, elevated pre-treatment inflammatory markers were associated with increased risk of cardiotoxicity. Among these markers, MLR had good discriminatory performance and high negative predictive value. The incorporation of MLR might improve risk evaluation and selection of patients for follow-up during cancer therapy.Figure (A-D)