Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios at the time of chemoradiation to predict survival in resected pancreatic cancer patients.

Abstract

452 Background: Higher pre-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lower platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are independent predictors for worse survival in cancer patients. The effect of chemoradiation (CRT) on NLR and PLR in pancreatic cancer patients who also undergo surgical resection has not been reported. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of pancreatic cancer patients treated at our institution with CRT either prior to or after surgery with curative intent. Overall survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were applied to evaluate the independent prognostic significance of NLR and PLR. Results: After excluding patients who did not have surgery, who received palliative radiation doses, or who had incomplete medical records, 81 out of 282 patients remained with median age 62 years (35-86). Of these, 24 (29.6%) were borderline resectable (BR) and received preoperative CRT while 57 (70.4%) received adjuvant CRT. Median total dose and number of fractions were 50.4 Gy (30-59.4) and 28 (5-33), respectively. Median pre-CRT and post-CRT NLR were 2.9 and 7.8, respectively. Median pre-CRT and post-CRT PLR were 211.3 and 457.5, respectively. Most patients had a decrease in NLR (85.2%) and PLR (72.8%) after CRT, with median changes of -4.95 for NLR and -178.33 for PLR. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed a trend towards significance for pre-CRT NLR (p=.08) regarding OS. A significant relationship was found between relapse free survival and both pre-CRT NLR (p=0.02) and PLR (p=0.01). The difference or percent change of neither NLR nor PLR was found to correlate with clinical outcomes. Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate the effect of CRT on NLR and PLR in resected pancreas cancer patients. Similar to other reports, our data indicate that a significant relationship exists between NLR, PLR, and clinical outcomes. Identification of clinically meaningful NLR and PLR cut-off points for resected pancreatic cancer patients who also receive CRT is needed.