Pretreatment C-reactive protein was an independent prognostic factor for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with RCHOP

A Novel Inflammatory-Nutritional Prognostic Scoring System for Patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the predictive ability of inflammatory and nutritional markers and further establish a novel inflammatory nutritional prognostic scoring (INPS) system.

Patients and Methods

We collected clinicopathological and baseline laboratory data of 352 patients with DLBCL between April 2010 and January 2023 at the First affiliated hospital of Ningbo University. Eligible patients were randomly divided into training and validation cohorts (n = 281 and 71, respectively) in an 8:2 ratio. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression model to determine the most important factors among the eight inflammatory-nutritional variables. The impact of INPS on OS was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier curve and the Log rank test. A prognostic nomogram was developed based on the multivariate Cox regression method. Then, we used the concordance index (C-index), calibration plot, and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to evaluate the prognostic performance and predictive accuracy of the nomogram.

Results

Seven inflammatory-nutritional biomarkers, including neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), body mass index (BMI), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), prealbumin, C reactive protein, and D-dimer were selected using the LASSO Cox analysis to construct INPS, In the multivariate analysis, IPI-High-intermediate group, IPI-High group, high INPS were independently associated with OS, respectively. The prognostic nomogram for overall survival consisting of the above two indicators showed excellent discrimination. The C-index for the nomogram was 0.94 and 0.95 in the training and validation cohorts. The time-dependent ROC curves showed that the predictive accuracy of the nomogram for OS was better than that of the NCCN-IPI system.

Conclusion

The INPS based on seven inflammatory-nutritional indexes was a reliable and convenient predictor of outcomes in DLBCL patients.

Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of C-reactive protein in patients with ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many studies have explored the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and survival outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer (OC); however, consistent results have not been reported. As such, this meta-analysis was performed to accurately assess the prognostic and clinicopathological roles of CRP in OC.

METHODS

The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published from inception to April 7, 2023. The effect of CRP level(s) and OC prognostic outcomes was analyzed by computing the combined hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Thereafter, the association between CRP level(s) and clinicopathological factors was evaluated using a combined odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% CI.

RESULTS

The present meta-analysis included 15 studies comprising 3202 subjects. According to the combined data, higher CRP levels were markedly associated with unfavorable overall survival (OS) (HR 1.23 [95% CI 1.11-1.37]; p < 0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 1.55 [95% CI 1.30-1.84]; p < 0.001) in patients with OC. Furthermore, the results indicated that high CRP levels were significantly correlated with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages III-IV (p < 0.001), residual tumor size ≥ 1 cm (p < 0.001), histological grade 3 (p = 0.040), and ascites volume ≥ 500 mL (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrated that higher serum CRP levels were strongly associated with dismal OS and PFS in subjects with OC. High CRP levels were also significantly associated with clinical factors implicated in tumor aggressiveness and the development of OC.

Cytokine profiles in patients with newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: IL-6 and IL-10 levels are associated with adverse clinical features and poor outcomes

BACKGROUND

The development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a prevalent subgroup of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), potentially involves various cytokines. We aimed to determine the correlation between deregulated serum levels of cytokines and clinical features and investigate their impact on the prognosis of patients with DLBCL.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 77 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL to explore the relationships between different cytokines, adverse clinical features, and poor outcomes. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the cytokine profiles between patients with DLBCL and healthy controls. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the probability of survival, and the log-rank tests were used to evaluate the differences between survival curves. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to performed univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate prognostic variables for survival analyze.

RESULTS

Serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ were significantly elevated in patients with untreated DLBCL. Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with an International Prognostic Index (IPI) of 3-5, bone marrow involvement, serum levels of LDH ≥ 250 U/L, and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) levels ≥ 2.3 mg/L. Patients with B symptoms only had higher serum IL-10 levels, whereas patients with a partial response or no response to treatment had significantly elevated serum levels of IL-6 as well as IL-10. Significant positive correlations were observed between the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 with those of β2-MG and LDH. Patients with levels of IL-6 ≥ 4.5 or IL-10 ≥ 5.0 pg/mL, as well as combined elevated IL-6 and IL-10 levels, exhibited shorter progression-free survival and overall survival. Additionally, univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that serum levels of IL-6 ≥ 4.5 pg/mL and IL-10 ≥ 5.0 pg/mL and IPI 3-5 were independent prognostic factors for relapse and survival in patients with DLBCL.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-treatment serum IL-6 and IL-10 levels in patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL might be powerful markers for determining treatment response and predicting the prognosis of DLBCL.

The Prognostic Impact of Pretreatment Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

The prognostic value of the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is not clear in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This study was designed to analyze the GNRI in DLBCL patients and to investigate its prognostic value in DLBCL. The archive records of DLBCL patients between 2008 and 2020 at the Akdeniz University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 206 patients with DLBCL were recruited and classified into two GNRI-based groups based on nutrition status. The GNRI cut off value was determined by ROC analysis. In the univariate Cox regression analysis for overall survival (OS), age, lactate dehydrogenase, B symptoms, infiltration of bone marrow, and the GNRI were determined as prognostic factors for mortality. The OS of patients with a GNRI ≤104.238 was significantly lower than that of patients with a GNRI >104.238 (p = 0.001). The progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with GNRI ≤104.238 was significantly lower compared to the patients with GNRI >104.238 (p = 0.010). Based on the results of the present study with a relatively large hospital-based cohort, the GNRI can be recommended for use as an independent prognostic marker for OS and PFS in patients with DLBCL.

Impact of serum C-reactive protein level as a biomarker of cancer dissemination in canine lymphoid neoplasia

Background and Aim

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a highly sensitive but non-specific acute phase protein that has been widely used to predict the biological behavior of patients with cancer. This study aimed to examine the significance of the serum CRP biomarker in predicting the prognosis of dogs with lymphoma.

Materials and Methods

Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from 34 lymphoma dogs and control healthy dogs. Canine lymphoma clinical staging was classified using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. All lymphoma dogs were reclassified into two groups based on the disease stage. Stages IV and V were designated as advanced stages, and Stages I-III were designated as other stages. The serum CRP level was then determined using a commercial canine CRP fluorescent immunoassay kit and routine hematological and biochemical analyses. C-reactive protein levels, circulating inflammatory parameters, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and albumin levels were compared between advanced stages (IV and V) and Stages I to III using Mann-Whitney U tests. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also generated to determine the cutoff value, diagnostic sensitivity, and specificity of the CRP level.

Results

A prospective study identified 34 dogs recently diagnosed with canine lymphoma. C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in lymphoma dogs in advanced stages (IV and V) than in lymphoma dogs in Stages I-III. According to the ROC curve analysis, a CRP cutoff level of 54.1 mg/L indicates advanced-stage canine lymphoma, which can be used as a biomarker to predict cancer dissemination.

Conclusion

Serum CRP concentrations can assist clinical decision-making on the WHO stage in lymphoma dogs in clinical applications. The limitations of this study include a small number of lymphomas and no survival analysis.

Identification of a 14-Gene Prognostic Signature for Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)

Although immunotherapy is a potential strategy to resist cancers, due to the inadequate acknowledge, this treatment is not always effective for diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. Based on the current situation, it is critical to systematically investigate the immune pattern. According to the result of univariate and multivariate cox proportional hazards, LASSO regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis on immune-related genes (IRGs), a prognostic signature, containing 14 IRGs (AQP9, LMBR1L, FGF20, TANK, CRP, ORM1, JAK1, BACH2, MTCP1, IFITM1, TNFSF10, FGF12, RFX5, and LAP3), was built. This model was validated by external data, and performed well. DLBCL patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups, according to risk scores from risk formula. The results of CIBERSORT showed that different immune status and infiltration pattern were observed in these two groups. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated 12 signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the high-risk group, such as natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and so on. In summary, 14 clinically significant IRGs were screened to build a risk score formula. This formula was an accurate tool to provide a certain basis for the treatment of DLBCL patients.

Primary Adrenal Lymphoma: Two Case Series From China

OBJECTIVE

Primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) is a rare form of adrenal mass. We summarize our experience in its clinical presentation, biochemical indexes, radiological features, pathological information, therapy regimens, and outcomes.

METHODS

This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective review of medical records and surgical pathology specimens of patients with a diagnosis of PAL at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital and the First Affiliate Hospital of Xiamen University between July 2007 and July 2017.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were identified. The mean age at presentation was 60.84 ± 13.14 years with a male-to-female ratio of 2.25:1 (18:8). The most common presenting symptoms were loss of appetite (65%, 17/26), weight loss (62%, 16/26), abdominal pain (58%, 15/26), and fatigue (58%, 15/26). The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (75%, 15/20), β₂-microglobulin (100%, 10/10), C-reactive protein (82%, 14/17), and ferritin (88%, 7/8) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (83%, 10/12) were elevated. Bilateral involvement was seen in 21 of 26 patients (81%); 12 of 19 evaluated patients with bilateral lesions (63%) were confirmed to have adrenal insufficiency. On computed tomography (CT), the mean tumor diameter was 7.31 ± 3.35 cm and the median Hounsfield density was 37.0 HU (range: 31.0-45.0 HU); 67% (10/15) and 27% (4/15) of lesions presented with mild and moderate enhancement after injection of contrast medium. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET)-CT revealed not only an adrenal tumor but also extra-adrenal lesions. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most common phenotype (92%, 24/26). Ninety-two percent (24/26) of patients received chemotherapy while 8% (2/26) received unilateral adrenalectomy plus chemotherapy. The prognosis of PAL was poor, with a general survival time of 7.20 ± 5.18 months.

CONCLUSION

PAL is a rare disease. The clinical characteristics of PAL include loss of appetite and weight loss. Endocrine evaluation should be performed to determine whether patients have adrenal insufficiency, especially patients with bilateral lesions. FDG-PET appears to be more accurate than other imaging modalities in revealing extra-adrenal sites. Better therapy is required to improve the poor prognosis of PAL.

C-reactive protein and ferritin levels and length of intensive care unit stay in patients with B-cell lymphomas treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell is an effective therapy in relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphomas that, due to its unique toxicities, often requires escalation of care to the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin are serum inflammatory markers associated with onset and persistence of CAR T-cell-related toxicity.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 34 patients treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) who were divided into two groups: patients requiring admission to the ICU during initial hospitalization (n = 13, 38%) and those who did not (n = 21, 62%). Primary objective was to examine possible relationships between serum ferritin and/or CRP levels with the need for, and length of, ICU stay between these groups.

RESULTS

All 13 patients admitted to the ICU developed cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and 11 of them also developed neurotoxicity (NT). Of the 21 patients in the non-ICU group, 18 developed CRS and 5 patients developed NT. Grade of CRS and NT were higher in ICU versus non-ICU patients (p = .03 and .001, respectively). There was no correlation between CRP levels at time of ICU admission and length of ICU stay (correlation of 0.41, p = .17). Yet, there was an association between serum ferritin levels and length of ICU stay (R² = 0.73) which did not reach statistical significance (correlation of 0.21, p = .49).

CONCLUSION

Notwithstanding the limitations of the small sample size, our study suggests that an elevated ferritin level at the time of escalation of medical care may be possibly indicative of anticipated prolonged ICU hospitalization in patients treated with axi-cel. A large multicenter study is certainly needed to confirm this observation.

Elevated C-reactive protein level is associated with poor prognosis in follicular lymphoma patients undergoing rituximab-containing chemotherapy

Although follicular lymphoma (FL) is a pathological entity characterized by relatively uniform histological and molecular findings, its clinical course is highly variable. Establishment of therapeutic strategies based on a simple and practical prognostic model is important. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an adverse prognostic marker for various tumors and aggressive lymphomas. However, the significance of serum CRP levels as a prognostic index in low-grade lymphomas, such as FL, has not been thoroughly investigated. We retrospectively analyzed the relationship between serum CRP levels at diagnosis and the prognosis in patients with FL (n = 61) undergoing rituximab-containing chemotherapy. Elevated CRP levels showed a significant association with elevated fibrinogen (P = 0.002) in univariate analysis. Patients with higher CRP levels (> 5 mg/L) had a significantly shorter progression-free survival in multivariate analysis (P = 0.044). We concluded that serum CRP levels are important in prognostic stratification of patients with FL.

The Glasgow Prognostic Score is a significant predictor of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) treated with CHOP-based chemotherapy and comparable with PTCL prognostic scores

The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) serves a prognostic role in several lymphomas. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether GPS predicts clinical outcomes and to compare the utility of four prognostic scores, including GPS, in patients diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). We selected for this retrospective study 96 patients consecutively diagnosed with PTCL according to the World Health Organization classification from January 2002 to February 2013 and followed up in five different institutions. Low GPS was a good prognostic biomarker of progression-free survival (PFS, P = 0.030) and overall survival (OS, P = 0.013). Estimated 3-year OS rates (low-risk vs. intermediate- or high-risk) by the International Prognostic Index (IPI), the Prognostic Index for T-cell lymphoma (PIT), the International Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma Project (IPTCLP) score, and GPS were 83% vs. 44% (P < 0.001), 68% vs. 37% (P = 0.004), 71% vs. 26% (P < 0.001) and 68% vs. 51% (P = 0.031), respectively. These results indicate that GPS has prognostic value for PTCL. In addition, all four prognostic scores demonstrate their usefulness in assessing PTCL outcomes.

Simplified MIPI-B prognostic stratification method can predict the outcome well-retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and management of newly-diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma patients from China

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an invasive B-cell lymphoma with significant individual differences. Currently, MCL international prognostic index (MIPI) score and tumor cell proliferation index Ki-67 have been proved to be the most important prognostic factors. But the prognostic effect of these factors in Asian population is uncertain. This study aimed to analyze the disease characteristics and prognostic factors of Chinese MCL patients.A total of 83 cases of newly-diagnosed MCL patients diagnosed by the Department of Pathology of our hospital between January 1, 2011, and May 31, 2016, were enrolled. The disease characteristics, treatment effects, and outcomes of the patients were collected and analyzed.According to our analysis, MCL cases accounted for 6.2% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cases and mainly occurred in elderly males. But the proportion of patients at stage IV by Ann Arbor staging system and high-risk group by simplified-MIPI (s-MIPI) were significantly lower than that among European patients. Immunochemotherapy containing rituximab was significantly more effective than chemotherapy (overall response rate, [ORR]: 88.5% vs 65.2%, P = .021) and significantly prolonged patient survival (progression free survival [PFS]: 45.5 m vs 16.2 m, P = .001; overall survival [OS]: 58.3 m vs 22.8 m, P = .001). The multivariate analysis showed that the B symptoms, s-MIPI and administration of immunochemotherapy were independent prognostic factors that affected PFS and OS of the patients. s-MIPI and B symptom make up s-MIPI-B stratification method, by which patients in low-risk group of s-MIPI without B symptom were classified as low-risk, patients in high-risk group of s-MIPI and patients in low-risk group of s-MIPI with B symptom as high-risk, the rest as middle-risk. 3-year PFS of the 3 groups were 74.9%, 43.4% and 16.1%, respectively (P = .001). 3-year OS were 84.4%, 62.2%, 27.6% (P <.001).Chinese MCL was male predominance. We have a minor proportion of late-stage and high-risk patients compared to European patients. Immunochemotherapy was proved to significantly improve the prognosis of MCL patients. B symptoms, s-MIPI, and administration of rituximab independently influenced the outcome. s-MIPI-B prognostic stratification method may better predict the prognosis of Asian MCL patients. Still, further confirmation in larger populations is needed.

Geriatric nutritional risk index is not an independent predictor in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated in the rituximab era was not clear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prognostic impact of GNRI in patients with DLBCL in our hospital.

METHODS

DLBCL patients were recruited and classified into two groups with and without malnutrition based on GNRI. Clinical features, concentration of T-helper cell type (Th1/Th2/Th17) cytokine profiles and overall survival were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

One hundred and five (39%) out of 267 patients were classified into malnutrition group. Patients with malnutrition had lower levels of albumin and hemoglobin, but older age, higher lactate dehydroxygenase (LDH) level, higher frequencies of advanced stage, poor performance status, B symptoms and extranodal involvement, higher scores of NCCN-IPI and higher level of INF-γ. Moreover, patients with malnutrition had poor overall survival in univariate analyses. But these significances did not stand after stratified analyses by NCCN-IPI, or in the context of NCCN-IPI in the multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

GNRI is not an independent predictor for DLBCL patients.

The pretreatment albumin to globulin ratio as a significant predictor in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

The pretreatment albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) has been used to predict survival in several types of tumors. However, whether AGR can predict outcomes in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains unclear. We evaluated the prognosis value of AGR in DLBCL patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the available serum biochemical results of 335 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL before treatment. The AGR was calculated as: albumin (g/L)/globulin. X-tile program was used to generate an optimal cut-off value of 1.3 for AGR. And all patients were respectively divided into the low AGR and high AGR groups according to the cut-off value.

RESULTS

The low AGR group displayed more adverse clinical chacteristics, including old age, sex (female), increased β2-microglobulinpoor (β2-MG), increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), B symptoms, poor performance status (PS), advanced stage, number of extranodal sites ≥ 2 and higher International Prognostic Index (IPI). AGR was negatively correlated with age, IPI score, ECOG score, Ann Arbor stage, B symptoms, β2-MG, LDH, and extranodal involvement, while positively correlated with gender. Patients with a low AGR presented with significantly poorer overall survival (OS, P = .001). Multivariate analysis further demonstrated that a low AGR was an independent adverse predictor for OS (HR = 0.613; 95% CI = 0.412-0.910, P = .015). In addition, AGR distinguished patients with different prognosis in stage III-IV and the non-germinal center B cell-like lymphoma (non-GCB) groups, a low AGR was also significantly associated with poor OS in 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment AGR was a simple and effective clinical marker of survival in patients with DLBCL, and may had an additional prognostic value based on Ann Arbor stage and cell of origin for DLBCL.

Association of Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor and C-Reactive Protein with the Efficacy of Bendamustine Salvage Treatment for Indolent Lymphomas and Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Bendamustine has demonstrated favourable efficacy in relapsed or refractory indolent lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma. We retrospectively evaluated the pre-treatment clinical and laboratory factors and their correlation with the clinical outcome of these lymphomas. We analysed 53 patients who had been treated with bendamustine alone (n = 6) or rituximab plus bendamustine (n = 47). The overall response rate was 81.1%, with a complete response (CR) rate of 39.6%. The CR rate was significantly low in patients who had elevated levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (p = 0.024) and C-reactive protein (CRP; p = 0.004). The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate was 79.3%. An elevated CRP was associated with a short OS (p = 0.056). The present findings suggest that the lymphoma microenvironment and immune response were involved in the effects of bendamustine. These findings are also important in order to understand the pathophysiology of refractory lymphoma and to find effective strategies using bendamustine.

Clinical characteristics of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in China and C-reactive protein as an independent prognostic factor

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a major subtype of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Due to its low incidence, the characteristics of AITL are still not well understood. The prognostic evaluation of this disease has not been established.We retrospectively analyzed 52 patients with newly diagnosed AITL in China between January 2008 and September 2016.Among these patients, the median age at diagnosis was 62 (40-83) and 58% (30/52) of the patients were older than 60 years. Thirty-five patients were male, accounting for 67.3% of the whole. Among these, 90% (47/52) of the diagnoses were estimated at advanced stage. A total of 25 (48%) patients were scored >1 by the ECOG performance status. Systemic B symptoms were described in 34 (65%) patients. When evaluated by International Prognostic Index (IPI), 81% were scored >2, and 77% got >1 score according to the prognostic index for PTCL (PIT) upon diagnosis. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 44% and the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 52%. IPI and PIT scores could not be effectively applied to stratify those AITL patients into subgroups. Our multivariate analysis results found that the elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level was an independent adverse factor to the OS of the AITL patients.Patients with AITL had a poor outcome. The serum level of CRP may be applied as an independent prognostic factor for AITL.

Prognostic role of pretreatment neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with RCHOP

This study aims to investigate whether neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an independent predictor in newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients in the rituximab era. Data from newly diagnosed DLBCL patients at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from 2006 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to generate the optimal cutoff value for NLR. Among those 156 patients enrolled, the NLR was < 3.0 in 46.8% (73/156) of the patients, and the remaining 53.2% (83/156) had an NLR ≥ 3.0. Patients with higher pretreatment NLR were found to correlate with poorer OS and PFS than these with lower NLR (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43-4.97, P = 0.002 and HR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.05-3.07, P = 0.034, respectively). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analysis further showed that high NLR was found independently predictive of poor OS (HR = 0.40; CI = 0.19-0.84, P = 0.015) and PFS (HR = 0.57; CI = 0.33-0.98, P = 0.042). Consequently, pretreatment NLR was an independent prognostic predictor in patients with DLBCL in the rituximab era.