Prognostic significance of serum C-reactive protein in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prognostic significance of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods 106 cases of newly diagnosed DLBCL patients with average age of 55.23 years old were analyzed retrospectively. Determine the level of serum CRP and other factors, including tumour stage, revised Internation Prognostic Index (R-IPI) before the treatment. After median follow-up of 62 months, the relationships between serum CRP and overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were observed. Results 106 DLBCL patients were divided into 4 Ann Arbor stages. Median serum CRP levels significantly increased in higher Ann Arbor stages [stage Ⅰ (9.49±2.73) mg/L, stage Ⅱ (14.96±2.60) mg/L, stage Ⅲ (22.03±3.39) mg/L, stage Ⅳ (28.96±4.56) mg/L] (all P 0.05), sex (r= 0.085, P > 0.05). The patients with serum CRP levels >19.0 mg/L had shorter 5-year ESF and OS than patients with serum CRP levels ≤19.0 mg/L(P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models showed that old age, high R-IPI score and high CRP level were independent adverse prognostic factors. Conclusion In DLBCL patients,high CRP level not only reflects tumor burded, but also delivers prognostic information. Key words: Lymphoma, large B-cell, diffuse; Serum C-reactive protein; Prognosis