Leukocytosis and neutrophilia predicts outcome in anal cancer

Efficacy and Toxicity of (Chemo)Radiation Therapy in HIV+ Patients with Squamous Cell Anal Cancer, a Subgroup Analysis of the National Multicenter Cohort FFCD-ANABASE

PURPOSE

The influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on clinical outcomes in patients receiving (chemo)radiation therapy (RT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is debated. The objective of this study was to compare efficacy and safety according to HIV status in patients with SCCA treated with C/RT.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between January 2015 and April 2020, 488 patients with a known HIV status (17.6% HIV+) were treated with radiation therapy for SCCA and included in the FFCD-ANABASE multicentric prospective cohort. Clinical outcomes including overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence-free survival, colostomy-free survival, response rate at 4 to 6 months, cancer-specific survival, relapse-free survival, and severe acute and late toxicity were compared between HIV+ and HIV- patients.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 35.8 months. HIV+ patients were younger (P < .01) and predominantly male (P < .01). Intensity modulated radiation therapy was performed in 80.7% of patients, and 80.9% received concurrent chemotherapy. A higher proportion of HIV+ patients received induction chemotherapy compared with HIV- patients. No statistically significant difference in overall treatment time or severe acute and late toxicities was found between HIV+ and HIV- patients. In univariate analyses, OS (HR = 2.1 [CI 95% 1.2;3.5], P = .007), locoregional recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.7 [1.1;2.7], P = .02), and colostomy-free survival (HR = 1.7 [1.1;2.6], P = .01) were significantly shorter in HIV+ patients than in HIV- patients. Response rate, cancer-specific survival, and relapse-free survival were not significantly different. The recurrence site was significantly different according to HIV status. In the multivariate analysis, prognostic factors for OS were a World Health Organization performance status of ≥1 for the whole population, as well as HIV+ status for the subgroup of women.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV+ patients treated with chemo-RT for SCCA have poorer clinical outcomes, especially women. No difference was found in toxicity according to HIV status with intensity modulated radiation therapy technique.

Inflammatory pathways confer resistance to chemoradiotherapy in anal squamous cell carcinoma

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is associated with immunosuppression and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Response to standard chemoradiotherapy (CRT) varies considerably. A comprehensive molecular characterization of CRT resistance is lacking, and little is known about the interplay between tumor immune contexture, host immunity, and immunosuppressive and/or immune activating effects of CRT. Patients with localized ASCC, treated with CRT at three different sites of the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) were included. Patient cohorts for molecular analysis included baseline formalin fixed paraffin embedded biopsies for immunohistochemistry (n = 130), baseline RNA sequencing (n = 98), peripheral blood immune profiling (n = 47), and serum cytokine measurement (n = 35). Gene set enrichment analysis showed that pathways for IFNγ, IFNα, inflammatory response, TNFα signaling via NF-κB, and EMT were significantly enriched in poor responders (all p < 0.001). Expression of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1), both on mRNA and protein levels, was associated with reduced Freedom from locoregional failure (FFLF, p = 0.037) and freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM, p = 0.014). An increase of PD-L1 expression on CD4+ T-cells (p < 0.001) and an increase in HLA-DR expression on T-cells (p < 0.001) was observed in the peripheral blood after CRT. Elevated levels of regulatory T-cells and CXCL2 were associated with reduced FFLF (p = 0.0044 and p = 0.004, respectively). Inflammatory pathways in tissue in line with elevated levels of regulatory T-cells and CXCL2 in peripheral blood are associated with resistance to CRT. To counteract this resistance mechanism, the RADIANCE randomized phase-2 trial currently tests the addition of the immune checkpoint inhibitor durvalumab to standard CRT in locally advanced ASCC.

The Prognostic Role of Baseline Eosinophils in HPV-Related Cancers: a Multi-institutional Analysis of Anal SCC and OPC Patients Treated with Radical CT-RT

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) are rare tumors associated with HPV infection. Bioumoral predictors of response to chemoradiation (CT-RT) are lacking in these settings. With the aim to find new biomarkers, we investigated the role of eosinophils in both HPV-positive anal SCC and HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).

METHODS

We retrieved clinical and laboratory data of patients with HPV-positive anal SCC treated with CT-RT in 5 institutions, and patients with locally advanced OPC SCC treated with CT-RT in 2 institutions. We examined the association between baseline eosinophil count (the best cutoff has been evaluated by ROC curve analysis: 100 × 10^9/L) and disease-free survival (DFS). Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios by baseline characteristics were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Three hundred four patients with HPV-positive anal SCCs and 168 patients with OPCs (122 HPV-positive, 46 HPV-negative diseases) were analyzed. In anal SCC, low eosinophil count (< 100 × 10^9/L) correlates to a better DFS (HR = 0.59; p = 0.0392); likewise, in HPV-positive OPC, low eosinophil count correlates to a better DFS (HR = 0.50; p = 0.0428). In HPV-negative OPC, low eosinophil count confers worse DFS compared to high eosinophil count (HR = 3.53; p = 0.0098). After adjustment for age and sex, eosinophils were confirmed to be independent prognostic factors for DFS (HR = 4.55; p = 0.0139).

CONCLUSION

Eosinophil count could be used as a prognostic factor in anal HPV-positive SCC. The worse prognosis showed in HPV-positive patients with high eosinophil count is likely to derive from an unfavorable interaction between the HPV-induced immunomodulation and eosinophils, which may hamper the curative effect of RT.

Impact of radiation on immune cells in patients with low-grade brain tumor: Identifying critical factors affecting lymphopenia and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio

PURPOSE

Studies about the effect of radiation therapy (RT) on immune cells are usually limited to a high-grade glioma mostly exposed to chemotherapy and a high dose of steroid which also could affect immune cells. The purpose of this retrospective analysis of low-grade brain tumor patients treated by RT alone is to determine significant factors influencing neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), absolute neutrophil counts (ANC), and absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 41 patients who received RT between 2007 and 2020 were analyzed. Patients who received chemotherapy and high-dose of steroid were excluded. ANC and ALC were collected before starting RT (baseline) and within one-week before ending RT (post-treatment). Changes of ANC, ALC, and NLR between baseline and post-treatment were calculated.

RESULTS

ALC decreased in 32 patients (78.1%). NLR increased in 31 patients (75.6%). No patients developed grade 2 or higher hematologic toxicities. The decrease of ALC was significantly correlated with the dose to brain V15 in a simple and multiple linear regression (p = 0.043). Brain V10 and V20 adjacent to V15 were also marginally significant factors determining the reduction of lymphocytes (p = 0.050 and p = 0.059, respectively). However, it was difficult to find predictive factors affecting changes of ANC and NLR.

CONCLUSION

In low-grade brain tumor patients who are treated by RT alone, ALC decreased and NLR increased in three-fourth of patients, although the magnitude was minimal. The decrease of ALC was mainly affected by low dose to the brain. However, RT dose was not correlated with changes of ANC or NLR.

External validation of a composite bio-humoral index in anal cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A prognostic scoring system based on laboratory inflammation parameters, [Hemo-Eosinophils-Inflammation (HEI) index], including baseline hemoglobin level, the systemic inflammatory index and eosinophil count was recently proposed in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (ASCC). HEI was shown to discriminate disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival in ASCC patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). We tested the accuracy of the model on a multicentric cohort for external validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients treated with CRT were enrolled. The Kaplan-Meier curves for DFS and OS based on HEI risk group were calculated and the log-rank test was used. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the prognostic factors for DFS and OS. The exponential of the regression coefficients provided an estimate of the hazard ratio (HR). For model discrimination, we determined Harrell's C-index, Gönen & Heller K Index and the explained variation on the log relative hazard scale.

RESULTS

A total of 877 patients was available. Proportional hazards were adjusted for age, gender, tumor-stage, and chemotherapy. Two-year DFS was 77 %(95 %CI:72.0-82.4) and 88.3 %(95 %CI:84.8-92.0 %) in the HEI high- and low- risk groups. Two-year OS was 87.8 %(95 %CI:83.7-92.0) and 94.2 %(95 %CI:91.5-97). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed a HR = 2.02(95 %CI:1.25-3.26; p = 0.004) for the HEI high-risk group with respect to OS and a HR = 1.53(95 %CI:1.04-2.24; p = 0.029) for DFS. Harrel C-indexes were 0.68 and 0.66 in the validation dataset, for OS and DFS. Gonen-Heller K indexes were 0.67 and 0.71, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The HEI index proved to be a prognosticator in ASCC patients treated with CRT. Model discrimination in the external validation cohort was acceptable.

Influence of radiation treatment technique (IMRT vs. 3D-RT) on acute toxicity and prognostic factors for survival for anal cancer

We compared our institutional experience with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3D-RT) for definitive treatment of primary anal cancer. We performed a single-institution retrospective review of all patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma treated with definitive (chemo) radiotherapy with curative intent from 2004 through 2018. We assessed several prognostic factors in respect to relevant survival endpoints. In addition, acute toxicities were determined and compared between IMRT and 3D-RT patients. This study included 94 patients (58 IMRT, 36 3D-RT). Mean follow up for all patients, for IMRT and 3D-RT patients was 61 months (range 6-176), 46 months (range 6-118), and 85 months (range 6-176), respectively. 5-year overall survival (OS) was 86%, disease-free survival (DFS) was 72%, and colostomy-free survival (CFS) was 75% in the IMRT cohort. In the 3D-RT cohort, OS was 87%, DFS was 71%, and CFS was 81% (all p > 0.05). Male gender and Karnofsky Index (KI) were revealed as independent prognostic factors for 5-year OS (p = 0.017; p = 0.023). UICC stage was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and CFS (p = 0.023; p = 0.042). In addition, the pre-treatment leukocyte count was an independent prognostic factor for CFS (p = 0.042). Acute grade ≥ 3 toxicity was not significantly different between IMRT and 3D-RT patients, but the IMRT cohort had favorable outcomes. This study confirmed IMRT as the primary definitive treatment of anal cancer. With similar survival rates, IMRT had the potential to reduce acute toxicity by sparing organs at risk. Promising prognostic factors such as BMI, KI, and leucocyte and hemoglobin levels should be further investigated.

Establishment and Validation of a Predictive Model for Radiation-Associated Aspiration Pneumonia in Patients with Radiation-Induced Dysphagia after Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Introduction

Radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancers raises their risk of aspiration pneumonia-related death. We aimed to develop and validate a model to predict radiation-associated aspiration pneumonia (RAP) among patients with dysphagia after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials and Methods

A total of 453 dysphagic patients with NPC were retrospectively recruited from Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital from January 2012 to January 2018. Patients were randomly divided into training cohort (n = 302) and internal validation cohort (n = 151) at a ratio of 2 : 1. The concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve were used to evaluate the accuracy and discriminative ability of this model. Moreover, decision curve analysis was performed to evaluate the net clinical benefit. The results were externally validated in 203 dysphagic patients from the First People's Hospital of Foshan.

Results

Derived from multivariable analysis of the training cohort, four independent factors were introduced to predict RAP, including Kubota water drinking test grades, the maximum radiation dose of lymph node gross tumor volume (Dmax of the GTVnd), neutrophil count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). The nomogram showed favorable calibration and discrimination regarding the training cohort, with a C-index of 0.749 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.681 to 0.817), which was confirmed by the internal validation cohort (C-index 0.743; 95% CI, 0.669 to 0.818) and the external validation cohort (C-index 0.722; 95% CI, 0.606 to 0.838).

Conclusions

Our study established and validated a simple nomogram for RAP among patients with dysphagia after radiotherapy for NPC.

Inflamasyon ilişkili indeksler, palyatif bakım hastalarında kötü prognozu tanımlayabilir mi?

Aim: Palliative medicine provides holistic care to increase the quality of life of patients. Predicting prognosis is critical for a personalized treatment plan. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the survival prediction properties of routine biochemistry tests, complete blood count (CBC) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios, in addition to biomarker-based indices (the mGPS, PI, and PNI). Materials and methods: The laboratory parameter values, prognostic factor scores, diagnoses and survival time of 139 palliative care patients in the last 5 weeks of their life were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Ninety-one (65.5%) patients were male and the average age was 65.9 years (28–91 years). Results of all three prognostic indices (the mGPS, PI, and PNI) investigated in this study were found to have a statistically significant relationship with the survival time of our patients. In addition, NLR, neutrophil percent, hemoglobin, serum albumin and CRP values were seen to have a statistically significant relationship with the scores of all three prognostic indices. Moreover, hand it is detected that WBC, NLR, albumin, and CRP values were associated with overall survival. Conclusion: The results of our study, which showed that these indices have prognostic markers in palliative care patients, will guide the management of the clinical process. We would like to emphasize the importance of palliative care clinicians in developing personalized treatment plans for patients using prognostic tools for survival prediction.

High preoperative white blood cell count determines poor prognosis and is associated with an immunosuppressive microenvironment in colorectal cancer

Background

The correlation between high white blood cell (WBC) count and poor prognosis has been identified in various types of cancer; however, the clinical significance and immune context of WBC count in colorectal cancer remains unclear.

Methods

Between February 2009 and November 2014, 7,433 patients at the Shanghai Cancer Center who had undergone elective surgery for colorectal cancer were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups: low and high preoperative WBC groups. Propensity score matching was used to address the differences in baseline characteristics. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used to identify independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer patients. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the high and low preoperative WBC groups were compared using immunohistochemical staining.

Results

Of the 7,433 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery and were available for analysis, 5,750 were included in the low preoperative WBC group, and 1,683 were included in the high preoperative WBC group. After propensity score matching, 1,553 patients were included in each group. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that a high preoperative WBC count was associated with a decreased overall survival (P = 0.002) and disease-free survival (P = 0.003), and that preoperative WBC count was an independent risk factor for overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.234; 95% confidence interval, 1.068–1.426; P = 0.004) and disease-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.210; 95% confidence interval, 1.047–1.397, P = 0.01). Compared to the low preoperative WBC group, the high preoperative WBC group exhibited higher expression of regulatory T cells (P = 0.0034), CD68⁺ macrophages (P = 0.0071), and CD66b⁺ neutrophils (P = 0.0041); increased expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (P = 0.005) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (P = 0.0019); and lower expression of CD8⁺ T cells (P = 0.0057) in colorectal cancer patients.

Conclusions

Our research indicates that a high preoperative WBC count is a prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer patients and is associated with an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which could aid in future risk stratification.

Leukocyte subtyping predicts for treatment failure and poor survival in anal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) generally carries a favorable prognosis, as most tumors are highly sensitive to standard of care chemoradiation. However, outcomes are poor for the 20–30% of patients who are refractory to this approach, and many will require additional invasive procedures with no guarantee of disease resolution.

Methods

To identify the patients who are unlikely to respond to the current standard of care chemoradiation protocol, we explored a variety of objective clinical findings as a potential predictor of treatment failure and/or mortality in a single center retrospective study of 42 patients with anal SCC.

Results

Patients with an increase in total peripheral white blood cells (WBC) and/or neutrophils (ANC) had comparatively poor clinical outcomes, with increased rates of death and treatment failure, respectively. Using pre-treatment biopsies from 27 patients, tumors with an inflamed, neutrophil dominant stroma also had poor therapeutic responses, as well as reduced overall and disease-specific survival. Following chemoradiation, we observed uniform reductions in nearly all peripheral blood leukocyte subtypes, and no association between peripheral white blood cells and/or neutrophils and clinical outcomes. Additionally, post-treatment biopsies were available from 13 patients. In post-treatment specimens, patients with an inflamed tumor stroma now demonstrated improved overall and disease-specific survival, particularly those with robust T-cell infiltration.

Conclusions

Combined, these results suggest that routinely performed leukocyte subtyping may have utility in risk stratifying patients for treatment failure in anal SCC. Specifically, pre-treatment patients with a high WBC, ANC, and/or a neutrophil-dense tumor stroma may be less likely to achieve complete response using the standard of care chemoradiation regimen, and may benefit from the addition of a subsequent line of therapy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09742-7.

Prognostic factors for patients with anal cancer treated with conformal radiotherapy-a systematic review

AIMS

Anal cancer is primarily treated using concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), with conformal techniques such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) now being the standard techniques utilised across the world. Despite this, there is still very limited consensus on prognostic factors for outcome following conformal CRT. This systematic review aims to evaluate the existing literature to identify prognostic factors for a variety of oncological outcomes in anal cancer, focusing on patients treated with curative intent using contemporary conformal radiotherapy techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted using Medline and Embase to identify studies reporting on prognostic factors for survival and cancer-related outcomes after conformal CRT for anal cancer. The prognostic factors which were identified as significant in univariable and multivariable analysis, along with their respective factor effects (where available) were extracted. Only factors reported as prognostic in more than one study were included in the final results.

RESULTS

The results from 19 studies were analysed. In both univariable and multivariable analysis, N stage, T stage, and sex were found to be the most prevalent and reliable clinical prognostic factors for the majority of outcomes explored. Only a few biomarkers have been identified as prognostic by more than one study - pre-treatment biopsy HPV load, as well as the presence of leukocytosis, neutrophilia and anaemia at baseline measurement. The results also highlight the lack of studies with large cohorts exploring the prognostic significance of imaging factors.

CONCLUSION

Establishing a set of prognostic and potentially predictive factors for anal cancer outcomes can guide the risk stratification of patients, aiding the design of future clinical trials. Such trials will in turn provide us with greater insight into how to effectively treat this disease using a more personalised approach.

Do immune inflammatory markers correlate with anal dysplasia and anal cancer risk in patients living with HIV?

PURPOSE

People living with HIV (PLWH) are at an elevated risk for developing anal cancer. As screening is invasive, markers predicting those at highest risk for anal cancer could guide individualized screening. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are surrogate inflammatory/immune markers known to correlate with cancer outcomes. This study aims to assess whether these markers correlate with anal cancer risk in PLWH.

METHODS

This is a retrospective single-institution cohort study of PLWH at a single academic medical center who were diagnosed with or screened for anal dysplasia between 2001 and 2019. Aforementioned markers collected within one year of diagnosis were recorded. Regression modeling was used to estimate odds of anal cancer. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was utilized to determine optimal cutoff for screening values.

RESULTS

Five-hundred-fourteen patients were included. NLR and PNI were significantly associated with cancer risk on univariate (p = 0.03, p = 0.001) and multivariate analyses (p = 0.03, p = 0.01). NLR increased across all grades of dysplasia. PLR was not associated with cancer risk. A NLR of ≥ 1.64 can be utilized to capture 76% of cancer patients in our cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

NLR values in patients living with HIV correlate with risk of anal cancer and increasing grades of dysplasia. A cutoff NLR of ≥ 1.64 can be used to help capture those at risk. NLR is a promising marker of risk of anal cancer and progression of anal dysplasia in patients with HIV infection and could be used to risk-stratify screening and surveillance intervals.

A Machine-Learning-Based Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Literature on Anal Cancer

Simple Summary

Squamous-cell carcinoma of the anus, being a rare cancer, requires national and international collaborations, networking, organizational proficiency and leadership to overcome barriers towards the implementation of clinical trials to establish improved standards of care treatment strategies and the conduction of translational research projects to shed light into its biology and molecular characterization. The purpose of the present study is to obtain a global frame of the scientific literature related to anal cancer, through a bibliometric analysis of the published articles during the last 20 years (2000–2020), exploring trends and common patterns in research, tracking collaboration and networks to foresee future directions in basic and clinical research.

Abstract

Squamous-cell carcinoma of the anus (ASCC) is a rare disease. Barriers have been encountered to conduct clinical and translational research in this setting. Despite this, ASCC has been a prime example of collaboration amongst researchers. We performed a bibliometric analysis of ASCC-related literature of the last 20 years, exploring common patterns in research, tracking collaboration and identifying gaps. The electronic Scopus database was searched using the keywords “anal cancer”, to include manuscripts published in English, between 2000 and 2020. Data analysis was performed using R-Studio 0.98.1091 software. A machine-learning bibliometric method was applied. The bibliometrix R package was used. A total of 2322 scientific documents was found. The average annual growth rate in publication was around 40% during 2000–2020. The five most productive countries were United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), France, Italy and Australia. The USA and UK had the greatest link strength of international collaboration (22.6% and 19.0%). Two main clusters of keywords for published research were identified: (a) prevention and screening and (b) overall management. Emerging topics included imaging, biomarkers and patient-reported outcomes. Further efforts are required to increase collaboration and funding to sustain future research in the setting of ASCC.

Meta-Analysis on the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Rectal Cancer Treated With Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy: Prognostic Value of Pre- and Post-Chemoradiotherapy Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio

Background

To evaluate the prognostic value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in rectal cancer patients treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and curative surgery.

Methods

A comprehensive search of the EMBASE and PubMed databases was performed to screen studies that compared treatment outcomes according to the pre-CRT and/or post-CRT NLR in patients receiving preoperative CRT and curative surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer. Hazard ratios (HRs) for disease-free survival (DFS) and/or overall survival (OS) were extracted, and a random-effects model was used for pooled analysis.

Results

Totally, 22 retrospective studies comprising 6316 patients were included. Preoperative CRT was administered with concurrent chemotherapy (mostly fluoropyrimidine-based regimens). The elevated pre-CRT NLR was significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence (HR, 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-1.81) and death (HR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.61-2.84). Post-CRT NLR was reported in only 3 of 22 studies, and the correlation was not statistically significant for recurrence (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.86-2.41) or death (HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 0.94-6.07).

Conclusions

Elevated pre-CRT NRL, but not post-CRT NRL, is associated with inferior DFS and OS. Further studies are needed to confirm the prognostic value of NLR in rectal cancer patients receiving preoperative CRT.

Effect of systemic inflammation biomarkers on overall survival after lung cancer radiotherapy: a single-center large-cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies suggest that immune-related cells can be recruited for anti-tumor functions as well as tumor progression and the interplay between systemic inflammation and local immune response may play a major role in the development and progression of various cancers including lung cancer. Inflammatory markers, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) can be used as surrogate biomarkers of host immune status. In this work, associations between neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, NLR, PLR, SII and overall survival (OS) are investigated in two cohorts of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with fractionated radiotherapy (RT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and a cohort of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients treated with fractionated RT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data from 2513 lung cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline NLR, PLR, and SII (NLR × platelet count) were calculated from full blood test prior to RT initiation. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between systemic inflammation markers and known clinical factors with OS.

RESULTS

The two-year OS was 42%, 63%, and 62% in the NSCLC fractionated RT, SBRT, and SCLC cohort. NLR (per 1 unit: hazard ratio [HR]: 1.04, p < 0.05) and SII (per 100 × 109/L: HR: 1.01, p < 0.05) remained the strongest independent factors of OS in multivariable Cox analyses, correcting for clinical factors in early-stage and locally advanced NSCLC and SCLC patients treated with RT.

DISCUSSION

This single-center large-cohort study suggests that baseline NLR and SII are independent prognostic biomarkers associated with OS in locally advanced and early-stage NSCLC patients treated with either curative-intent fractionated RT or SBRT and SCLC patients treated with curative-intent fractionated RT. External validation is warranted to evaluate the utility of these biomarkers for patients' stratification and adapting new treatment approaches.

Evaluation of prognostic factors after primary chemoradiotherapy of anal cancer: A multicenter study of the German Cancer Consortium-Radiation Oncology Group (DKTK-ROG)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Prognosis after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) shows marked differences among patients according to TNM subgroups, however individualized risk assessment tools to better stratify patients for treatment (de-) escalation or intensified follow-up are lacking in ASCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients' data from eight sites of the German Cancer Consortium - Radiation Oncology Group (DKTK-ROG), comprising a total of 605 patients with ASCC, treated with standard definitive CRT with 5-FU/Mitomycin C or Capecitabine/Mitomycin C between 2004-2018, were used to evaluate prognostic factors based on Cox regression models for disease-free survival (DFS). Evaluated variables included age, gender, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), HIV-status, T-category, lymph node status and laboratory parameters. Multivariate cox models were separately constructed for the whole cohort and the subset of patients with early-stage (cT1-2 N0M0) tumors.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 46 months, 3-year DFS for patients with early-stage ASCC was 84.9%, and 67.1% for patients with locally-advanced disease (HR 2.4, p < 0.001). T-category (HR vs. T1: T2 2.02; T3 2.11; T4 3.03), N-category (HR versus N0: 1.8 for N1-3), age (HR 1.02 per year), and KPS (HR 0.8 per step) were significant predictors for DFS in multivariate analysis in the entire cohort. The model performed with a C-index of 0.68. In cT1-2N0 patients, T-category (HR 2.14), HIV status (HR 2.57), age (1.026 per year), KPS (HR 0.7 per step) and elevated platelets (HR 1.3 per 100/nl) were associated with worse DFS (C-index of 0.7).

CONCLUSION

Classical clinicopathologic parameters like T-category, N-category, age and KPS remain to be significant prognostic factors for DFS in patients treated with contemporary CRT for ASCC. HIV and platelets were significantly associated with worse DFS in patients with early stage ASCC.

Prognostic impact of neutrophilia and lymphopenia on survival in anal cancer treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a retrospective multicenter study

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the prognostic value of leukocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts in anal cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

METHODS

Multi-institutional retrospective data review included 148 non-metastatic anal cancer patients treated with definitive CCRT with 5-fluorouracil plus mitomycin C between the year 2001 and 2019. The median radiation dose to the primary tumor was 54 Gy with a median pelvic dose of 45 Gy. Median follow-up duration was 56 months, and complete blood cell counts were analyzed from baseline to 1 year after the completion of radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Although most patients showed a normal number of blood cells before treatment, 6.1% and 4.1% of patients showed leukocytosis (> 10,000/μl) and neutrophilia (> 7500/μl), respectively. After the initiation of treatment, seven patients (4.7%) displayed grade 4 lymphopenia (< 200/μl) at 1 month. Patients with initial leukocytosis showed inferior progression- and locoregional progression-free survival, and neutrophilia was a prognostic factor in all survival outcomes. Grade 4 lymphopenia at 1 month was also significantly associated with overall, progression-, and distant metastasis-free survival. On multivariate analyses, baseline neutrophilia was associated with 56.8-, 22.6-, 10.7-, and 23.0-fold increased risks of death, disease relapse, locoregional progression, and distant metastasis, respectively. Furthermore, lymphocytes < 200/μl at 1 month was linked to 6.8-, 5.4-, and 6.3-fold increased risks for death, disease relapse, and distant metastasis, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The number of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils readily acquired from routine blood tests before and during treatment could be an independent prognostic factor of survival in patients with anal cancer.

Long-term Patterns of Failure and the Value of Blood Prognostic Markers in Anal Cancers Treated With Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

BACKGROUND

To analyze the long-term outcomes and prognostic value of hematological parameters in anal cancer patients receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

MATERIALS

Hospital records of consecutive patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma who received curative-intent IMRT according to a standardized contouring protocol between 2010 and 2020 were reviewed. Locoregional failure-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Coverage of locoregional recurrences by the initial IMRT volumes were assessed. The prognostic value of pretreatment blood counts for PFS and OS were determined using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 166 patients were analyzed with a median follow-up of 3.3 years. Forty-six percent and 54% of patients had Stage I-II and IIIA-B cancers, respectively. The 5-year LRFS, DMFS, PFS and OS were 81%, 89%, 65% and 76% respectively. Grade ≥ 3 toxicity occurred in 5% of patients. Of all patients who relapsed, 70% had only locoregional recurrence as first site of failure. Ninety percent of locoregional recurrences were in-field. Hemoglobin, neutrophil and platelet counts were associated with PFS on univariable analysis, but only cancer stage and p16 status remained prognostic on multivariable analysis. Patients with more advanced cancer stages also had higher baseline neutrophil counts. Performance status and neutrophil counts were prognostic for OS on multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study affirms the long-term efficacy and safety of IMRT. Treatment resistance, rather than radiation geographic miss, is a major issue underpinning locoregional recurrences. Pretreatment blood counts were not validated to be independently prognostic for disease recurrence.

Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus, Unresolved Areas and Future Perspectives for Research: Perspectives of Research Needs in Anal Cancer

Anal cancer is a relatively rare, mostly HPV-related cancer. The curative treatment consists of concurrent chemoradiation delivered with modern radiotherapy techniques. The prognosis for most patients with early localized disease is very favourable; however patients with locally advanced disease and/or HPV negative tumours are at higher risk of locoregional and distant treatment failure. Tailored approaches are presently being investigated to determine the most suitable regimen in terms of radiotherapy dose prescription, target volume selection, normal tissue avoidance, and combination therapy. Metastatic anal cancer is treated with chemotherapy aiming at prolonged survival. The role of immune therapy in the clinical setting is being investigated. There is little knowledge on the biology of anal cancer, and an urgent need for more clinical and translational research dedicated to this disease. In this article, the evidence-base for the current treatment is briefly reviewed, and perspectives on future research needs are high-lighted.

Neutrophil extracellular traps in cancer: not only catching microbes

Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cells circulating throughout the bloodstream and are often considered the frontline defenders in innate immunity. However, neutrophils are increasingly being recognized as having an important role in tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis due to their aberrant activation by molecules released into the tumor microenvironment. One defensive response of neutrophils that is aberrantly triggered during the neoplastic process is called NETosis, where activated neutrophils expel their DNA and intracellular contents in a web-like structure known as a neutrophil extracellular trap (NET). In cancer, NETosis has been linked to increased disease progression, metastasis, and complications such as venous thromboembolism. NET structures released by neutrophils can also serve as a scaffold for clot formation, shining new light on the role of neutrophils and NETosis in coagulation-mediated diseases.

Here, we review current available knowledge regarding NET and the related NETosis process in cancer patients, with an emphasis on pre-clinical and clinical data fostering the identification and validation of biomarkers of NET with a predictive/prognostic role in cancer patients treated with immunotherapy agents. NETosis biomarkers, e.g., citH3, may integrate correlates of immunogenicity currently available (e.g., PD-L1 expression, TMB, TILs) and help select the subsets of patients who may most benefit from the use of the therapeutic weapons under discussion.

Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors after chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a rare malignancy with rising incidence, associated with human papilloma virus (HPV). Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the preferred treatment. The purpose was to investigate treatment failure, survival and prognostic factors after CRT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective observational study from a large regional centre, 141 patients were included from 2013 to 2017, and 132 were eligible for analysis. The main inclusion criteria were SCCA, planned radiotherapy, and performance status (ECOG) ≤2. Patient characteristics, disease stage, treatment, and treatment response were prospectively registered. Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and locoregional treatment failure after CRT were analysed. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated with Cox`s proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 54 (range 6-71) months. Eighteen patients (14%) had treatment failures after CRT; of these 10 (8%) had residual tumour, and 8 (6%) relapse as first failure. The first treatment failure was locoregional (11 patients), distant (5 patients), and both (2 patients). Salvage abdomino-perineal resection was performed in 10 patients, 2 had resections of metastases, and 3 both. DFS was 85% at 3 years and 78% at 5 years. OS was 93% at 3 years and 86% at 5 years. In analyses adjusted for age and gender, HPV negative tumours (HR 2.5, p = 0.024), N3 disease (HR 2.6, p = 0.024), and tumour size ≥4 cm (HR 2.4, p = 0.038) were negative prognostic factors for DFS.

CONCLUSION

State-of-the-art chemoradiotherapy for SCCA resulted in excellent outcomes, and improved survival compared with previous national data, with <15% treatment failures and a 3-year DFS of >80%.

Pulse-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy in anal squamous cell carcinoma: clinical outcomes and patients' health quality perception

Purpose

To examine clinical outcomes and quality of life of patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma treated with interstitial pulsed-dose-rate brachytherapy (PDR-BT) with a boost to residual tumor after external radiotherapy.

Material and methods

Medical records of patients receiving a brachytherapy boost after radiotherapy for anal squamous cell carcinoma in our Institute between 2008 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. After receiving pelvic irradiation ± concurrent chemotherapy, patients received PDR-BT boost to residual tumor, in order to deliver a minimal total dose of 60 Gy. Patients’ outcomes were analyzed, with primary focus on local control, sphincter preservation, morbidity, and quality of life.

Results

A total of 42 patients were identified, included 24, 13, and 5 patients with I, II, and III tumor stages, respectively. Median brachytherapy (BT) dose was 20 Gy (range, 10-30 Gy). Median dose per pulse was 42 cGy (range, 37.5-50 cGy). With median follow-up of 60.4 months (range, 5.4-127.4 months), estimated local control and colostomy-free survival rates at 5 years were both 88.7% (95% CI: 67.4-96.4%). The largest axis of residual lesion after external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and poor tumor shrinkage were associated with more frequent relapses (p = 0.02 and p = 0.007, respectively). Out of 40 patients with more than 6 months follow-up, only one experienced severe delayed toxicity (fecal incontinence). Health quality perception was very good or good in 20 of 22 (91%) patients, according to their replies of quality-of-life surveys. A total dose ≥ 63 Gy was associated with higher number of anorectal grade 1+ toxicities (n = 1.5 vs. n = 0.61, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

In this cohort of 42 patients with mainly I and II tumor stages, PDR-BT boost allowed for local control in 88.7% of patients, with only one grade 3 anorectal toxicity.

Anti-Ly6G binding and trafficking mediate positive neutrophil selection to unleash the anti-tumor efficacy of radiation therapy

The anti-Ly6G antibody is used to deplete Ly6Gpos neutrophils and study their role in diverse pathologies. However, depletion is never absolute, as Ly6Glow neutrophils resistant to depletion rapidly emerge. Studying the functionality of these residual neutrophils is necessary to interpret anti-Ly6G-based experimental designs. In vitro, we found anti-Ly6G binding induced Ly6G internalization, surface Ly6G paucity, and primed the oxidative burst of neutrophils upon TNF α co-stimulation. In vivo, we found neutrophils resistant to anti-Ly6G depletion exhibited anti-neutrophil-cytoplasmic-antibodies. In the pre-clinical KrasLox-STOP-Lox-G12D/WT; Trp53Flox/Flox mouse lung tumor model, abnormal neutrophil accumulation and aging was accompanied with an N2-like SiglecFpos polarization and ly6g downregulation. Consequently, SiglecFpos neutrophils exposed to anti-Ly6G reverted to Ly6Glow and were resistant to depletion. Noting that anti-Ly6G mediated neutrophil depletion alone had no anti-tumor effect, we found a long-lasting rate of tumor regression (50%) by combining anti-Ly6G with radiation-therapy, in this model reputed to be refractory to standard anticancer therapies. Mechanistically, anti-Ly6G regulated neutrophil aging while radiation-therapy enhanced the homing of anti-Ly6G-boundSiglecFneg neutrophils to tumors. This anti-tumor effect was recapitulated by G-CSF administration prior to RT and abrogated with an anti-TNFα antibody co-administration. In summary, we report that incomplete depletion of neutrophils using targeted antibodies can intrinsically promote their oxidative activity. This effect depends on antigen/antibody trafficking and can be harnessed locally using select delivery of radiation-therapy to impair tumor progression. This underutilized aspect of immune physiology may be adapted to expand the scope of neutrophil-related research.

The Prognostic Value of the New Combined Hemo-Eosinophil Inflammation Index (HEI Index): A Multicenter Analysis of Anal Cancer Patients Treated with Concurrent Chemo-Radiation

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare tumor, and bio-humoral predictors of response to chemo-radiation (CT-RT) are lacking. We developed a prognostic score system based on laboratory inflammation parameters. We investigated the correlation between baseline clinical and laboratory variables and disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival in anal SCC patients treated with CT-RT in five institutions. The bio-humoral parameters of significance were included in a new scoring system, which was tested with other significant variables in a Cox's proportional hazard model. A total of 308 patients was included. We devised a prognostic model by combining baseline hemoglobin level, SII, and eosinophil count: the Hemo-Eosinophils Inflammation (HEI) Index. We stratified patients according to the HEI index into low- and high-risk groups. Median DFS for low-risk patients was not reached, and it was found to be 79.5 months for high-risk cases (Hazard Ratio 3.22; 95% CI: 2.04-5.10; p < 0.0001). Following adjustment for clinical covariates found significant at univariate analysis, multivariate analysis confirmed the HEI index as an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS. The HEI index was shown to be a prognostic parameter for DFS and OS in anal cancer patients treated with CT-RT. An external validation of the HEI index is mandatory for its use in clinical practice.

Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers as predictors of recurrence in surgically-treated anogenital condylomata acuminata patients

The aim of this study was to examine the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with anogenital condylomata acuminata (CA) and their association with recurrence and squamous intraepithelial neoplasia development. We conducted a descriptive study in 95 patients that had undergone surgical treatment for CA. The descriptive data, disease characteristics, and pre-treatment peripheral inflammatory biomarkers (PIBs) were recorded retrospectively. All parameters were compared in those with recurrent and non-recurrent CA. All PIBs were significantly higher in patients with the greatest genital wart size of >2 cm in the squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) group. Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31 and 33, known to carry high risk for anogenital cancer, were significantly related to higher SII. Greater wart size, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and higher PLR and SII values were highly associated with recurrent disease (p = 0.003, 0.006, 0.005 and 0.000, respectively). Of all recurrences, 34.1% were explained by HSIL and increased PLR and SII values. The prediction of CA recurrence is important to determine those patients at high risk. PLR and SII can be used for risk analysis in selected patient groups.

The Influence of Systemic Inflammation on Treatment Response and Survival in Anal Squamous Cell Cancer

AIMS

The incidence of anal squamous cell cancer (SCCA) is rising. Although chemoradiotherapy (CRT) provides a chance of cure, a proportion of patients have an incomplete response or develop recurrence. This study assessed the value of inflammation-based prognostic indicators, including the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR), in patients with SCCA treated by CRT with curative intent.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed SCCA were identified from pathology records. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and clinical, pathological and treatment characteristics were abstracted. The mGPS (0 = normal C-reactive protein [CRP] and albumin, 1 = CRP >10 mg/l and 2 = CRP >10 mg/l and albumin <35 mg/l) and NLR were calculated from routine blood tests obtained prior to CRT.

RESULTS

In total, 118 patients underwent CRT for SCCA between December 2007 and February 2018. Of these, 99 patients had appropriate pretreatment blood results available. Systemic inflammation as indicated by NLR >3 and mGPS >0 was present in 41% and 39% of patients, respectively. Most patients had T2 or larger tumours (n = 85, 86%) without nodal involvement (n = 64, 65%). An elevated mGPS was associated with more advanced T-stage (56% versus 35%, P = 0.036). NLR >5 was associated with nodal positivity (56% versus 31%, P = 0.047). On multivariate analysis, more advanced T-stage (odds ratio 7.49, 95% confidence interval 1.51-37.20, P = 0.014) and a raised mGPS (odds ratio 5.13, 95% confidence interval 1.25-21.14, P = 0.024) were independently related to incomplete CRT response. An elevated mGPS was prognostic of inferior survival (hazard ratio 3.09, 95% confidence interval 1.47-6.50, P = 0.003) and cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 4.32, 95% confidence interval 1.54-12.15, P = 0.006), independent of TNM stage.

CONCLUSION

Systemic inflammation, as measured by the mGPS, is associated with an incomplete CRT response and is independently prognostic of inferior survival in patients with SCCA. The mGPS may offer a simple marker of inferior outcome that could be used to identify high-risk patients.

Association Between Random Glucose Level and Leukocytes Count in Female Cancer Patients

Leukocytosis is common among patients suffering from cancer when leukocytes count exceeds 11,000 cells per mm³. This is a usual immune response toward infection and foreign elements. This leads to the release of inflammatory mediators at the targeted site. Studies have found leukocytes count increase in diabetes mellitus patients. Random glucose level indicates the patient is at risk of developing diabetes mellitus. In this study, the association between random glucose level and leukocytes count in female cancer patients is evaluated. About 210 cancer patients included in this study and the results have indicated a positive association between high glucose level and high leukocyte count. This indicates poor prognosis of the patients as high glucose levels increase tumor cell proliferation and high leukocytes count can induce inflammation leading to the progression of cancer and increase mortality rate.

Analysis of Systemic Inflammatory Factors and Survival Outcomes in Endometrial Cancer Patients Staged I-III FIGO and Treated with Postoperative External Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

The causal link between elevated systemic inflammation biomarkers and poor survival has been demonstrated in cancer patients. However, the evidence for this correlation in endometrial cancer (EC) is too weak to influence current criteria of risk assessment. Here, we examined the role of inflammatory indicators as a tool to identify EC patients at higher risk of death in a retrospective observational study.

METHODS

A total of 155 patients surgically diagnosed with EC stage I-III FIGO 2009 and treated with postoperative External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) ± brachytherapy and chemotherapy according to ESMO-ESTRO-ESGO recommendation for patients at high risk of recurrence at the Gustave Roussy Institut, France, and Hospital Clínic, Spain, between 2008 and 2017 were evaluated. The impact of pre-treatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR ≥ 2.2), Monocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR ≥ 0.18), Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Index (SII ≥ 1100) and lymphopenia (<1.0×109/L) on overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival and progression-free survival was evaluated. Subsequently, a cohort of 142 patients within high-advanced risk groups according to ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO classification was evaluated.

RESULTS

On univariate analysis, NLR (HR = 2.2, IC 95% 1.1-4.7), SII (HR = 2.2, IC 95% 1.1-4.6), MLR (HR = 5.0, IC 95% 1.1-20.8) and lymphopenia (HR = 3.8, IC 95% 1.6-9.0) were associated with decreased OS. On multivariate analysis, NLR, MLR, SII and lymphopenia proved to be independent unfavorable prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

lymphopenia and lymphocytes-related ratio are associated with poorer outcome in surgically staged I-III FIGO EC patients classified as high risk and treated with adjuvant EBRT and could be considered at cancer diagnosis. External validation in an independent cohort is required before implementation for patients' stratification.

Radiotherapy-related lymphopenia in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving palliative radiotherapy

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Risk of grade 3 lymphopenia increased with RT dose to the soft tissue and trabecular bone.

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High baseline CRP/Albumin was negatively associated with overall survival.

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Risk of lymphopenia may decrease by limiting irradiation field in palliative RT.

Background

Lymphopenia during radiotherapy (RT) may have an adverse effect on treatment outcome. The aim of this study is to investigate associations between lymphopenia and RT parameters in patients with advanced lung cancer. Moreover, to investigate the prognostic role of lymphopenia, blood protein levels, and treatment and patient-related factors.

Material and Methods

Sixty-two advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were retrospectively analyzed. Blood counts were available prior to, during, and after RT (3Gyx10). For each patient, a thoracic volume of interest (VOI) –including thoracic soft tissue and trabecular bone– was obtained by applying a CT window of −500 to 1200 HU in the planning CT. Dose parameters from thoracic VOI and other regions including lungs and vertebrae were calculated. Association between risk of lymphopenia ≥ G3 (lymphocytes at nadir according to CTCAE v4.0) and therapeutic parameters was investigated using Logistic regression. Relationships between overall survival (OS) and RT dose parameters, baseline blood counts and protein levels, and clinical factors were evaluated using Log-rank and Cox models.

Result

Mean thoracic RT dose (odds ratio [OR] 1.67; p = 0.04), baseline lymphocytes (OR 0.65; p = 0.01), and corticosteroids use (OR 6.07; p = 0.02) were significantly associated with increased risk of lymphopenia ≥ G3 in multivariable analysis. Worse OS was associated with high mean thoracic RT dose, high CRP/Albumin, large tumor volume and corticosteroids use (p < 0.05, univariate analysis), but not with lymphopenia ≥ G3. CRP/Albumin ratio > 0.12 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.28, p = 0.03) and corticosteroid use (HR 2.52, p = 0.01) were independently associated with worse OS.

Conclusion

High thoracic RT dose gave a higher risk of lymphopenia ≥ G3; hence limiting dose volume to the thorax may be valuable in preventing severe lymphopenia for patients receiving palliative fractionated RT. Still, lymphopenia ≥ G3 was not associated with worse OS. however, high baseline CRP/Albumin was associated with poorer OS and may carry important information as a prognostic factor of OS in advanced NSCLC receiving palliative RT.

C-Reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio as Prognostic Marker for Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Chemoradiotherapy

Background: Definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the primary treatment for non-metastatic anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). Despite favorable treatment outcomes in general, failure rates up to 40% occur in locally advanced disease. For treatment escalation or de-escalation strategies easily assessable and valid biomarkers are needed. Methods: We identified 125 patients with ASCC treated with standard CRT at our department. C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) was calculated dividing baseline CRP by baseline albumin levels. We used maximally selected rank statistics to dichotomize patients to high and low risk groups. Associations of CAR with clinicopathologic parameters were evaluated and the prognostic impact was tested using univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis. In a subset of 78 patients, pretreatment tumor tissue was available and CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and p16^INK4a status were scored by immunohistochemistry and correlated with CAR. Results: Advanced T-stage and male gender were significantly associated with higher baseline CAR. Using the calculated cutoff of 0.117, a high baseline CAR was also associated with worse locoregional control (p = 0.002), distant metastasis-free survival (p = 0.01), disease-free survival (DFS, p = 0.002) and overall survival (OS, p < 0.001). A combined risk score incorporating N-stage and CAR, termed N-CAR score, was associated with worse outcome across all endpoints and in multivariate analysis independent of T-stage and Gender (HR 4.27, p = 0.003). In the subset of 78 patients, a strong infiltration with intratumoral CD8+ TIL was associated with a significantly lower CAR (p = 0.007). CAR is an easily accessible biomarker that is associated with DFS. Our study revealed a possible link between chronic systemic inflammation and an impaired intratumoral immune response.

Risk factors for and timing of adverse events after revision total shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing rates of revision total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), there is a paucity of literature on optimizing perioperative outcomes. The purposes of this study were to identify risk factors for unplanned readmission and perioperative complications following RTSA, risk-stratify patients based on these risk factors, and assess timing of complications.

METHODS

Bivariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors were assessed on RTSA patients from the ACS-NSQIP database from 2011 to 2015. Patients were risk-stratified and timing of severe adverse events and cause of readmission were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 809 RTSA patients, 61 suffered a perioperative complication or readmission within 30 days of discharge. Multivariate analysis identified operative time, BMI > 40, infection etiology, high white blood cell count, and low hematocrit as significant independent risk factors for 30-day complications or readmission after RTSA (p ≤ 0.05). Having at least one significant risk factor was associated with 2.71 times risk of complication or readmission within 15 days compared to having no risk factors (p < 0.001). The majority of unplanned readmission, return to the operating room, open/deep wound infection, and sepsis/septic shock occurred within two weeks of RTSA.

DISCUSSION

Patients at high risk of complications and readmission after RTSA should be identified and optimized preoperatively to improve outcomes and lower costs.

Long-term changes in blood counts after intraoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer-single center experience and review of the literature

Background

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) for breast cancer is used as an upfront boost or as accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). To date, no description of blood count changes after IORT are available. Our analysis shows blood count changes in breast cancer patients up to 5 years after IORT ± whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT).

Methods

IORT was given as APBI in 58 patients (IORT/APBI-group) and as a boost in 198 patients (IORT/WBRT-group). A median dose of 20 Gy was given intraoperatively with low energy X-rays [INTRABEAM (TM) System] and additionally 46 Gy/2 Gy per fraction to the whole breast, if WBRT was added. Blood counts were collected preoperatively, after 90 days and through year 1–5 of follow-up. Dunnett’s tests were used to calculate changes in blood counts over time. Additionally, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) were calculated for each time point.

Results

Significantly decreases in the IORT/WBRT-group were seen for erythrocytes, hemoglobin, platelets and leucocytes and an increase for lymphocytes for the total follow-up period. In the IORT/APBI-group significantly decreases were seen for erythrocytes and hemoglobin for the total follow-up period. Regarding changes during follow-up compared to the preoperative value, much more significant changes were seen in the IORT/WBRT-group compared to IORT/APBI-group without any relevant impact of chemotherapy. Regarding PLR-, NLR- and dNLR-values the rate of patients over the range improved over time in both groups.

Conclusions

IORT/APBI seems to have a smaller effect on blood counts compared to IORT/WBRT. Furthermore, PLR-, NLR- and dNLR-values improved over time, suggesting a positive effect on outcome after IORT in general.

Prognostic value of body composition on recurrence and survival of advanced-stage head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is commonly associated with a high risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia, related to adverse clinical outcomes. This study evaluated the prognostic values of body composition on recurrence and survival in patients with advanced-stage HNSCC.

METHODS

This study prospectively enrolled 258 consecutive patients with definitive treatments for advanced-stage HNSCC. For the determination of sarcopenia, the cross-sectional area of the skeletal muscles (SMs) was measured at the level of the third lumbar vertebra on the computed tomography images of whole-body ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography before and after treatments. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Pretreatment and post-treatment diminished SM masses (sarcopenia) were found in 17 (6.6%) and 32 (12.4%) of 258 included patients, respectively. All values of body composition, SM index, visceral fat area, lean body mass, fat mass and body mass index significantly decreased after treatment (all P < 0.05). Multivariable analyses showed that age, Charlson comorbidity index, pretreatment and post-treatment sarcopenia, pretreatment hypoalbuminaemia, p16 status and tumour site remained the independent variables predictive of DFS and OS outcomes (all P < 0.05). Patients with sarcopenia before or after treatment had about threefold increased risk of overall recurrence or death.

CONCLUSION

Diminished SM mass may predict recurrence and survival after definitive treatments in patients with advanced-stage HNSCC.

Tumor-related leukocytosis predictive of recurrence and survival in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognostic values of tumor-related leukocytosis (TRL) as a reliable biomarker predictive of recurrence and survival after definitive surgery for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study involved 322 patients who underwent tumor extirpation combined with neck dissection for treatment-naïve OSCC between 2006 and 2014. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the relationship between TRL and pathological variables. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were used to find associations between factors and disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

TRL was significantly related to advanced disease status, tumor size, invasion depth, poor differentiation, and T and N classifications, resulting in increased post-treatment recurrence rate, particularly in the distant site. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that only the T classification was significantly associated with baseline TRL (p = 0.018). Multivariate analyses also showed that the tumor depth of invasion, pathological N classification, extranodal extension, and TRL remained the independent variables predictive of DFS and OS (all p < 0.05). TRL was related to a more than twofold increased risk of post-treatment recurrence and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

TRL is associated with advanced tumor disease and increased recurrence and mortality in OSCC patients.

Immune inflammation indicators in anal cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation: training and validation cohort with online calculator (ARC: Anal Cancer Response Classifier)

Background: In anal cancer, there are no markers nor other laboratory indexes that can predict prognosis and guide clinical practice for patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the influence of immune inflammation indicators on treatment outcome of anal cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: All patients had a histologically proven diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal/margin treated with chemoradiotherapy according to the Nigro’s regimen. Impact on prognosis of pre-treatment systemic index of inflammation (SII) (platelet x neutrophil/lymphocyte), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were analyzed.

Results: A total of 161 consecutive patients were available for the analysis. Response to treatment was the single most important factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). At univariate analysis, higher SII level was significantly correlated to lower PFS (p<0.01) and OS (p=0.046). NLR level was significantly correlated to PFS (p=0.05), but not to OS (p=0.06). PLR level significantly affected both PFS (p<0.01) and OS (p=0.02). On multivariate analysis pre-treatment, SII level was significantly correlated to PFS (p=0.0079), but not to OS (p=0.15). We developed and externally validated on a cohort of 147 patients a logistic nomogram using SII, nodal status and pre-treatment Hb levels. Results showed a good predictive ability with C-index of 0.74. An online available calculator has also been developed.

Conclusion: The low cost and easy profile in terms of determination and reproducibility make SII a promising tool for prognostic assessment in this oncological setting.

Leukocytosis and neutrophilia as independent prognostic immunological biomarkers for clinical outcome in the CAO/ARO/AIO-04 randomized phase 3 rectal cancer trial

Peripheral blood leukocytosis and neutrophilia reflect cancer inflammation and have been proposed as prognostic immunological biomarkers in various malignancies. However, previous studies were limited by their retrospective nature and small patient numbers. Baseline peripheral blood leukocytes, neutrophils, hemoglobin, platelets, lactate dehydrogenase and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics, and clinical outcome in 1236 patients with rectal cancer treated with 5-FU-based preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) alone or with oxaliplatin followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy within the CAO/ARO/AIO-04 randomized phase 3 trial. Multivariable analyses were performed using Cox regression models. After a median follow-up of 50 months, baseline leukocytosis remained an independent adverse prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS; HR 1.457; 95% CI 1.163-1.825; p = 0.001), distant metastasis (HR 1.696; 95% CI 1.266-2.273; p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS; HR 1.716; 95% CI 1.264-2.329; p = 0.001) in multivariable analysis. Similar significant findings were observed for neutrophilia and high CEA levels. Conversely, treatment-induced leukopenia correlated with favorable DFS (p = 0.037), distant metastasis (p = 0.028) and OS (p = 0.012). Intriguingly, addition of oxaliplatin to 5-FU CRT resulted in a significant DFS improvement only in patients with neutrophilia and leukocytosis (p = 0.028 and p = 0.002). Our findings have important clinical implications and provide high-level evidence on the adverse prognostic role of leukocytes and neutrophils, and the impact of chemotherapy in the context of these biomarkers. These data could help guide patient stratification and should be further validated within prospective studies.

Prognostic factors of colostomy free survival in patients presenting with locally advanced anal canal carcinoma: A pooled analysis of two prospective trials (KANAL 2 and ACCORD 03)

BACKGROUND

To carry out a prognosis study of the prospective studies KANAL 2 and ACCORD 03 in order to highlight new prognostic factors of colostomy-free survival in patients with locally advanced anal canal carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

KANAL 2 and ACCORD 03 were phase 2 and phase 3 multicenter trials with same inclusion criteria: anal canal squamous cell carcinoma of ≥4 cm or pelvic node involvement treated with conformal radiotherapy (45 Gy/25 fractions plus a boost) and concomitant fluorouracyl and cisplatin at weeks 1 and 5. A multivariate analysis of potential factors (patients, tumors, and treatments) was carried out through Cox proportional hazard model. Results were presented as hazard ratio (HR).

RESULTS

387 patients were included. In multivariate analysis, age over 55 years (HR = 0.62, p = 0.013), the increase of circumferential tumor spread (between 1/3 and 2/3 and more than 2/3 compared to less than 1/3) (respectively 1.97, p = 0.015 and 2.94, p < 0.001), the skin ulceration (1.57, p = 0.03), the inguinal node involvement (1,98, p < 0.001) and the total radiotherapy dose above 60 Gy (between 60 and 65 Gy (HR = 0.37, p < 0.001) and >65 Gy (HR = 0.61, p = 0.028)) were associated with colostomy-free survival.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights new favorable prognostic factors such as circumferential tumor damage of less than two thirds, age over 55 years, dose escalation boost irradiation and possibly a total radiation dose between 60 and 65 Gy (but the BED dose depends on the overall treatment time). These results could be considered for better selection or stratification of the target population in future trials.

Outcomes prediction in pre-operative radiotherapy locally advanced rectal cancer: leucocyte assessment as immune biomarker

Objective

Leukocytes are hypothesized to reflect the inflammatory tumor microenvironment. We aimed to validate their prognostic significance in a large cohort of patients treated with pre-operative radiation for locally advanced rectal cancer (RC).

Results

From 2004 to 2015, 257 RC patients with available biological data underwent a pre-operative radiotherapy, with a median age of 66 years. The median rectal EQD2 was 49.2Gy. Most of patients experienced concurrent chemotherapy (n = 245, 95.4%), mainly with 5-FU (83.3%). Clear surgical margins (i.e. complete resection) were achieved in 234 patients (91.1%). A complete (Mandard TRG1: n = 35, 13.6%) or almost complete pathological response (Mandard TRG2: n = 56, 21.8%) were achieved in 91 patients (35.4%). With a median follow-up of 46.1 months, 8 patients (3.1%) experienced local relapse, 38 (14.8%) experienced metastases and 45 (17.5%) died. Elevated pre-radiation neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR > 2.8) was identified as an independent predictive factor of increased local relapse, of decreased progression-free survival and overall survival in multivariate analysis. Elevated NLR was marginally associated with incomplete pathological response in multivariate analysis, suggesting a possible value as a biomarker of radio-sensitivity.

Conclusions

Pre-radiation NLR is a simple and robust biomarker for risk stratification in locally advanced RC patients undergoing pre-operative radiotherapy, and might select the subpopulation eligible to treatment intensification or to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Material and Methods

Clinical records from consecutive patients treated in a single institution between 2004 and 2015 with curative-intent radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Classical prognosis factors of RC and peripheral immune markers based on lymphocytes and neutrophil counts were studied.

Neutrophilia as a biomarker for overall survival in newly diagnosed high-grade glioma patients undergoing chemoradiation

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Inflammation has been associated with poor outcome in various cancer histologies.

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In high-grade gliomas treated with concurrent temozolomide and radiation, pretreatment neutrophilia may be a significant prognosis factor for overall survival.

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In addition with previously available markers, this independent cost-effective biomarker could help identifying patients with worsened prognosis.

Objective

To study the prognostic value of neutrophil disorders in a retrospective cohort of high-grade glioma patients receiving definitive concurrent temozolomide and radiation.

Materials and methods

Clinical records of consecutive patients treated in our Institution between January 2005 and December 2010 with concurrent temozolomide (75 mg/m² daily) and radiation were collected. The prognostic value of pretreatment neutrophilia on survival, defined as a neutrophil count exceeding 7 G/L, was examined.

Results

We identified 164 patients, all treated with concurrent temozolomide-based chemoradiotherapy. Initial surgery was achieved in most (75%), with resection > 90% in 55 patients (34%). Total 151 patients (92%) had glioblastoma, and 13 patients (8%) had WHO grade III glioma. Eighty-two patients (50%) displayed pretreatment neutrophilia. Neutrophilia was not associated with concurrent or adjuvant temodal discontinuation (p > 0.3). The 2-year actuarial overall survival was 45%. Steroid consumption, i.e. 60 mg or more of daily prednisolone, increased pretreatment neutrophil count (p = 0.005). In univariate analysis, neutrophilia was associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.019), as well as age ≥ 65 years (p = 0.009), surgical resection < 90% (p = 0.003) and prednisolone consumption ≥ 60 mg/day (p = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, neutrophilia (p = 0.013), age ≥ 65 (p = 0.001), and surgical tumor resection < 90% (p = 0.010) independently decreased overall survival, while, steroid consumption was not (p = 0.088).

Conclusion

In high-grade gliomas treated with concurrent temozolomide and radiation, pretreatment neutrophilia may be a significant prognosis factor for overall survival. In addition with previously available markers, this independent cost-effective biomarker could help identifying patients with worsened prognosis.

Anal squamous cell carcinoma - State of the art management and future perspectives

Anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is associated with infection with high-risk strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) in 70-90% of cases and a rise in incidence has been observed in the last decades. Definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C constitutes the standard treatment for localized disease, but about 30% of patients do not respond or relapse locally. Phase I/II trials testing targeted agents, such as epidermal-growth-factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, have failed to improve clinical outcome and resulted in increased toxicities. Modern imaging methods and biomarkers, also in the context of HPV status, should be further explored to improve patient stratification. In the present review, we will discuss the current clinical evidence and future perspectives in the management of ASCC. HPV-positive ASCC is more immunogenic with a higher density of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes that correlate with better response to CRT and more favorable prognosis compared to HPV-negative tumors. Immunotherapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors have brought new hope and promising results were recently demonstrated in metastatic ASCC. The addition of immunotherapies to CRT for localized disease is tested in early phase trials, and these results could have a profound impact on the way we treat ASCC in near future. Further research and novel approaches are expected to enhance our understanding of tumor biology and immunology, and improve patient stratification and treatment adaptation in the context of personalized medicine.

Significance of combined preoperative serum Alb and dNLR for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

AIM

To investigate diagnostic value of preoperative inflammatory biomarkers in pancreatic cancer (PCC).

MATERIALS & METHODS

Preoperative circulating Alb/Fib ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR (dNLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio and lymphocyte/monocyte ratio were detected and calculated in 226 PCC individuals, 232 healthy controls and 142 additional cancer controls. Receiver-operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of PCC.

RESULTS

Combined circulating dNLR and Alb could effectively improve the diagnosis of PCC (AUC = 0.931), single dNLR could distinguish early-stage PCC and the disease from healthy controls (AUC = 0.895) and additional cancer controls (AUC = 0.794).

CONCLUSION

Circulating dNLR was an effective biomarker for diagnosis and identification of early-stage PCC. Combined dNLR and Alb could improve the diagnostic efficacy of the disease.

Prognostic impact of leukocyte counts before and during radiotherapy for oropharyngeal cancer

Introduction

Peripheral blood count components are accessible and evidently predictive in other cancers but have not been explored in oropharyngeal carcinoma. We examine if there is an association between the use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and lymphopenia, as well as if there is an association between baseline neutrophilia, baseline leukocytosis and lymphocyte nadir in oropharyngeal cancer.

Materials and Methods

Analysis started with 150 patients from a previous case to case study design, which retrospectively identified adults with oropharyngeal carcinoma, 100 treated with IMRT in 2010-2012 and 50 treated with IMPT in 2011-2014. Pretreatment leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and hemoglobin levels were extracted, as were neutrophil and lymphocyte nadir levels during radiotherapy. We retained 137 patients with recorded pre-treatment leukocyte and neutrophil levels for associated analysis and 114 patients with recorded lymphocyte levels during radiation and associated analysis. Multivariate survival analyses were done with Cox regression.

Results

The radiotherapy type (IMRT vs. IMPT) was not associated with lymphopenia (grade 3 P > .99; grade 4 P = .55). In univariate analyses, poor overall survival was associated with pretreatment neutrophilia (hazard ratio [HR] 5.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.99-15.7, P = .001), pretreatment leukocytosis (HR 4.85, 95% CI 1.73-13.6, P = .003), grade 4 lymphopenia during radiotherapy (HR 3.28, 95% CI 1.14-9.44, P = .03), and possibly smoking status >10 pack-years (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.01-8.18, P = .05), but only T status was possibly significant in multivariate analysis (HR 2.64, 95% CI 0.99-7.00, P = .05). Poor progression-free survival was associated with pretreatment leukocytosis and T status in univariate analysis, and pretreatment neutrophilia and advanced age on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Treatment modality did not affect blood counts during radiotherapy. Pretreatment neutrophilia, pretreatment leukocytosis, and grade 4 lymphopenia during radiotherapy were associated with worse outcomes after, but establishing causality will require additional work with increased statistical power.

Neutrophils, a candidate biomarker and target for radiation therapy?

BACKGROUND

Neutrophils are the most abundant blood-circulating white blood cells, continuously generated in the bone marrow. Growing evidence suggests they regulate the innate and adaptive immune system during tumor evolution. This review will first summarize the recent findings on neutrophils as a key player in cancer evolution, then as a potential biomarker, and finally as therapeutic targets, with respective focuses on the interplay with radiation therapy. A complex interplay: Neutrophils have been associated with tumor progression through multiple pathways. Ionizing radiation has cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, but the sensitivity to radiation therapy in vivo differ from isolated cancer cells in vitro, partially due to the tumor microenvironment. Different microenvironmental states, whether baseline or induced, can modulate or even attenuate the effects of radiation, with consequences for therapeutic efficacy. Inflammatory biomarkers: Inflammation-based scores have been widely studied as prognostic biomarkers in cancer patients. We have performed a large retrospective cohort of patients undergoing radiation therapy (1233 patients), with robust relationship between baseline blood neutrophil count and 3-year's patient's overall survival in patients with different cancer histologies. (Pearson's correlation test: p = .001, r = -.93). Therapeutic approaches: Neutrophil-targeting agents are being developed for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Neutrophils either can exert antitumoral (N1 phenotype) or protumoral (N2 phenotype) activity, depending on the Tumor Micro Environment. Tumor associated N2 neutrophils are characterized by high expression of CXCR4, VEGF, and gelatinase B/MMP9. TGF-β within the tumor microenvironment induces a population of TAN with a protumor N2 phenotype. TGF-β blockade slows tumor growth through activation of CD8 + T cells, macrophages, and tumor associated neutrophils with an antitumor N1 phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

This supports the need for prospective neutrophils evaluation in clinical trials, making neutrophils a predictive biomarker with potential specific therapies.

Peripheral Leukocytosis Is Inversely Correlated with Intratumoral CD8+ T-Cell Infiltration and Associated with Worse Outcome after Chemoradiotherapy in Anal Cancer

Peripheral blood leukocytosis has been implicated in promoting tumor progression leading to worse survival, but the mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain unexplored. Here, we examined the prognostic role of pretreatment white blood cell (WBC) count and clinicopathologic parameters in the context of CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and myeloperoxidase+ tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). After a median follow-up of 26 months, leukocytosis correlated with advanced T-stage (p < 0.001) and N-stage (p < 0.001), and predicted for worse distant-metastasis-free survival (p = 0.006), disease-free-survival (DFS, p = 0.029), and overall survival (p = 0.013). Importantly, leukocytosis was associated with a lower intraepithelial CD8+ TIL density (p = 0.014), whereas low CD8+ TIL expression in the intraepithelial compartment was associated with worse DFS (p = 0.028). Additionally, high TAN expression in the peritumoral compartment was associated with a significantly lower density of CD8+ TIL (p = 0.039), albeit, TAN expression lacked prognostic value. In conclusion, leukocytosis constitutes an important prognostic marker in ASCC patients treated with CRT. In conjunction with intratumoral TIL and TAN, these data provide for the first time important insight on the correlation of peripheral blood leukocytosis with the intratumoral immune contexture and could be relevant for future patient stratification using immunotherapies in ASCC.

A score combining baseline neutrophilia and primary tumor SUVpeak measured from FDG PET is associated with outcome in locally advanced cervical cancer

PURPOSE

We investigated whether a score combining baseline neutrophilia and a PET biomarker could predict outcome in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

METHODS

Patients homogeneously treated with definitive chemoradiation plus image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) between 2006 and 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. We divided patients into two groups depending on the PET device used: a training set (TS) and a validation set (VS). Primary tumors were semi-automatically delineated on PET images, and 11 radiomics features were calculated (LIFEx software). A PET radiomic index was selected using the time-dependent area under the curve (td-AUC) for 3-year local control (LC). We defined the neutrophil SUV grade (NSG = 0, 1 or 2) score as the number of risk factors among (i) neutrophilia (neutrophil count >7 G/L) and (ii) high risk defined from the PET radiomic index. The NSG prognostic value was evaluated for LC and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Data from 108 patients were analyzed. Estimated 3-year LC was 72% in the TS (n = 69) and 65% in the VS (n = 39). In the TS, SUV_peak was selected as the most LC-predictive biomarker (td-AUC = 0.75), and was independent from neutrophilia (p = 0.119). Neutrophilia (HR = 2.6), high-risk SUV_peak (SUV_peak > 10, HR = 4.4) and NSG = 2 (HR = 9.2) were associated with low probability of LC in TS. In multivariate analysis, NSG = 2 was independently associated with low probability of LC (HR = 7.5, p < 0.001) and OS (HR = 5.8, p = 0.001) in the TS. Results obtained in the VS (HR = 5.2 for OS and 3.5 for LC, p < 0.02) were promising.

CONCLUSION

This innovative scoring approach combining baseline neutrophilia and a PET biomarker provides an independent prognostic factor to consider for further clinical investigations.