Prognostic values of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with glioblastoma

Abstract

Objective To explore the prognostic values of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) in patients with glioblastoma. Methods A total of 200 cases of patients with glioblastoma were enrolled. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates. The comparison of survival rates in different groups were conducted by the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate independent prognostic factors. Results Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (11.2 months & 8.8 months) of patients with elevated NLR (NLR>7.25) were lower than patients with reduced NLR (14.7 months & 12.3 months). Difference between two groups showed statistical significance (OS: P=0.027; PFS: P=0.030). MLR had no statistical significance for clinical outcome of patients with glioblastoma (OS: P=0.082; PFS: P=0.063). Univariate analysis revealed that extent of resection (OS: P=0.000; PFS: P=0.000), radiotherapy (OS: P=0.000; PFS: P=0.000), chemotherapy (OS: P=0.000; PFS: P=0.001) were factors that significantly influenced the survival times of patients. Multivariate analysis showed NLR>7.25 (OS: P=0.048; PFS: P=0.036), incomplete resection (OS: P=0.000; PFS: P=0.000) and no radiotherapy (OS: P=0.011; PFS: P=0.010) were independent prognostic factors which significantly influenced the survival times of patients. Conclusion High NLR predicted a poor outcome of patients with glioblastoma. NLR might be potential prognostic markers in glioblastoma. MLR had no predictive value on the prognosis. Key words: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio; Glioblastoma; Prognosis