Platelet volume as a parameter for platelet activation in patients with endometrial cancer

Pre‑operative mean platelet volume is associated with overall survival in patients with IDH‑wildtype glioblastoma undergoing maximal safe resection

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common, fast-growing, and aggressive malignant primary CNS tumor, with a survival time of ~15 months despite the use of surgery and adjuvant treatments. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the potential contribution of hemostasis and platelet activation in GBM biology. The present study assessed the association between the pre-operative coagulation profile [as indicated by prothrombin time (PT) ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ratio], overall platelets (PLT) count and the mean platelet volume (MPV) with tumoral characteristics and overall survival in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase-wildtype (IDH-wt) GBM.

Clinical Correlations between Serological Markers and Endometrial Cancer

Background: Endometrial cancer is associated with changes in blood cell counts and with high levels of inflammatory markers, thus reflecting the tumor's impact on various biological processes and suggesting their potential as biomarkers for endometrial cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood sampled preoperatively from patients have been reported to be independently associated with the prognosis of different types of malignancies. Objectives: This study aimed to compare several blood markers-red blood cells, white blood cells, platelet parameters, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen-in patients with benign or malignant endometrial tumors. Material and methods: Our retrospective study included 670 patients (192 diagnosed with endometrial cancer and 478 with endometrial hyperplasia), and we compared the serological parameters discussed above with those sampled the day before surgery. Results: Analysis of complete blood count indices revealed no significant differences in red blood cell or total white blood cell parameters between the endometrial cancer group and the endometrial hyperplasia group. However, a distinct pattern emerged in the white blood cell differential. The endometrial cancer group showed a statistically significant decrease in lymphocyte count compared with the endometrial hyperplasia group. In contrast, the endometrial cancer group showed significantly higher mean platelet counts and increased mean platelet volume compared with controls. Furthermore, the endometrial cancer group demonstrated a marked inflammatory response, as evidenced by significantly elevated levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio compared with the endometrial hyperplasia group. Conclusions: The current research revealed statistically significant differences in multiple serological biomarkers between the two groups. These findings support the initial hypothesis regarding the potential utility of these biomarkers in endometrial cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response, highlighting the existence of biomarkers affordable for analysis under any health system, regardless of the country's level of development.

Relation of Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) with Cancer: A Systematic Review with a Focus on Disease Outcome on Twelve Types of Cancer

Inflammatory proteins activate platelets, which have been observed to be directly related to cancer progression and development. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the possible association between Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) and cancer (diagnostic capacity of MPV, relation to survival, the severity of the disease, and metastasis). A literature review was performed in the online database PubMed and Google Scholar for the period of 2010–2022. In total, 83 studies including 21,034 participants with 12 different types of cancer (i.e., gastric cancer, colon cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, renal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, gallbladder cancer, and multiple myeloma) were identified. The role of MPV has been extensively investigated in several types of cancer, such as gastric, colon, breast, and lung cancer, while few data exist for other types, such as renal, gallbladder cancer, and multiple myeloma. Most studies in gastric, breast, endometrium, thyroid, and lung cancer documented an elevated MPV in cancer patients. Data were less clear-cut for esophageal, ovarian, and colon cancer, while reduced MPV was observed in renal cell carcinoma and gallbladder cancer. Several studies on colon cancer (4 out of 6) and fewer on lung cancer (4 out of 10) indicated an unfavorable role of increased MPV regarding mortality. As far as other cancer types are concerned, fewer studies were conducted. MPV can be used as a potential biomarker in cancer diagnosis and could be a useful tool for the optimization of treatment strategies. Possible underlying mechanisms between cancer and MPV are discussed. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the exact role of MPV in cancer progression and metastasis.

A Nomogram Based on Hematological Parameters and Clinicopathological Characteristics for Predicting Local-Regional Recurrence After Breast-Conserving Therapy

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify the factors for local-regional recurrence (LRR) after breast-conserving therapy (BCT). We established a practical nomogram to predict the likelihood of LRR after BCT based on hematological parameters and clinicopathological features.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 2,085 consecutive breast cancer patients who received BCT in Shandong Cancer Hospital from 2006 to 2016, including 1,460 patients in the training cohort and 625 patients in the validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed based on hematological parameters (fibrinogen, platelets, mean platelet volume, neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes) and clinicopathological characteristics to identify the independent factors for LRR. Subsequently, a nomogram for predicting LRR was established by logistic regression analysis. The nomogram was validated in 625 patients in the validation cohort.

Results

During the median follow-up period of 66 months, 44 (3.01%) patients in the training cohort and 19 (3.04%) patients in the validation cohort suffered from LRR. Multivariate analysis showed six independent factors related to LRR, including molecular subtype, pathological N stage, re-resection, radiotherapy or not, platelet count*MPV*fibrinogen (PMF), and neutrophil count/lymphocyte count ratio (NLR). Six variables were entered into logistic regression to establish the nomogram for predicting LRR. The nomogram of LRR showed excellent discrimination and prediction accuracy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.89 (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.83, 0.95) in the training cohort and 0.88 (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.8, 0.96) in the validation cohort. Calibration curves for the prediction model in the training and validation cohorts both demonstrated satisfactory consistency between the nomogram-predicted and actual LRR.

Conclusion

The combination of hematological parameters and clinicopathological characteristics can predict LRR after BCT. The predictive nomogram based on preoperative and postoperative indicators of BCT might serve as a practical tool for individualized prognostication. More prospective studies should be performed to verify the model.

The comparison of inflammatory markers in geriatric and nongeriatric endometrial cancers

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory markers are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in endometrial cancers (EC), but hematopoietic aging may affect the results. OBJECTIVE: To compare inflammatory markers in geriatric and nongeriatric EC. METHODS: This study included 342 women with endometrial cancers (n: 171) and age-matched controls (n: 171). Geriatric (⩾ 65 years old) and nongeriatric women in each group was compared for inflammatory markers, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW). RESULTS: Geriatric EC had more common nonendometrioid tumors, myometrial invasion, lymph node metastasis, advanced stage, and low overall survival (OS). Nongeriatric EC had low MPV, high NLR, and PDW compared to nongeriatric control. Geriatric EC had low MPV, lymphocyte, and high NLR, PLR compared to geriatric control (p< 0.05). Geriatric EC had significantly low PDW and high NLR, PLR compared to nongeriatric EC in early stages, not in advanced stages. Lymphocyte count was significantly low in geriatric EC with all stages (p< 0.05). In nongeriatric EC, stage was related to platelet count (r: 0.341, p: 0.0019), and PLR (r: 0.252, p: 0.01). OS was negatively related to PLR (r: -0.267, p: 0.007) and NLR (r: -0.353, p: 0.000). In geriatric EC, myometrium invasion was negatively related to lymphocyte count (r: -0.268, p: 0.035). OS was related to neutrophil count (p: 0.352, p: 0.01). MPV was negatively related to stage (r: -0.335, p: 0.01) and OS (r: -0.337, p: 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The inflammatory responses of geriatric and nongeriatric EC were different in the early and advanced stages. Geriatric EC had low PDW and high NLR, PLR compared to nongeriatric EC in early stages. Decreased lymphocyte count was the most prominent feature of geriatric EC in the early and advanced stages. These results suggested that decreased lymphocyte count may reflect an aggressive course of disease in the elderlies. Future inflammation studies may direct anticancer treatment strategies in geriatric EC. Further research on inflammaging and geriatric EC is needed to increase our understanding of aging and carcinogenesis.

Prognostic significance of mean platelet volume in patients with lung cancer: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The mean platelet volume (MPV) is a measure of platelet size, and it is considered a surrogate marker of platelet activation. Because the correlation between platelet count/size and lung cancer prognosis remains unclear, this meta-analysis comprehensively evaluated the prognostic significance of MPV among patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and additional sources of relevant studies were conducted with no language restrictions from inception to 7 May 2021. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)/progression-free survival (PFS), as well as their hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were pooled to evaluate the relationship between MPV and survival. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO.

RESULTS

Eleven studies involving 2421 patients with lung cancer were included in our analysis. Nine studies including only patients with non-small cell lung cancer were included in the meta-analysis. Our analysis revealed no significant associations of MPV with OS (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.84-1.41) and DFS/PFS (HR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.58-2.20).

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment MPV levels did not display prognostic significance in patients with NSCLC. Large-scale prospective studies and a validation study considering ethnicity and lung cancer staging are warranted.

Platelets in aging and cancer-"double-edged sword"

Platelets control hemostasis and play a key role in inflammation and immunity. However, platelet function may change during aging, and a role for these versatile cells in many age-related pathological processes is emerging. In addition to a well-known role in cardiovascular disease, platelet activity is now thought to contribute to cancer cell metastasis and tumor-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) development. Worldwide, the great majority of all patients with cardiovascular disease and some with cancer receive anti-platelet therapy to reduce the risk of thrombosis. However, not only do thrombotic diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, cancer, especially metastasis, is still the second cause of death worldwide. Understanding how platelets change during aging and how they may contribute to aging-related diseases such as cancer may contribute to steps taken along the road towards a "healthy aging" strategy. Here, we review the changes that occur in platelets during aging, and investigate how these versatile blood components contribute to cancer progression.

The decreased mean platelet volume is associated with poor prognosis in patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy

Background

There is considerable evidence that platelets contribute to cancer growth and metastatic dissemination. In recent studies, altered mean platelet volume (MPV) has been associated with prognosis in different types of cancer. However, the prognostic role of the MPV in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is currently discussed controversially. The present study was performed to analyze and further elucidate the prognostic significance of the MPV in HNSCC.

Methods

A total of 319 oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) patients treated with radiotherapy at a tertiary academic center were enrolled in the present study. Kaplan–Meier method as well as uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards were used to evaluate the impact of MPV on cancer-specific survival (CSS), locoregional control (LC) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Results

The median MPV was 10.30 fL (mean 10.26 ± 1.17fL). Univariate analyses showed a significant association of the MPV with CSS (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74–0.98, p = 0.025), LC (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.74–0.99, p = 0.034) and RFS (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76–0.996; p = 0.043). In multivariate analysis, the MPV remained an independent prognostic factor for CSS (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63–0.93, p = 0.008), LC (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65–0.98, p = 0.030), and RFS (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.685–0.999, p = 0.049).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the MPV is a prognostic marker in OPSCC patients and may contribute to future individual risk assessment.

Predictive and prognostic values of preoperative platelet parameters in patients with gynecological tumors

BACKGROUND

Platelets play a role in tumor cell growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis, and the present study aimed to evaluate diagnostic and prognostic values of platelet parameters in patients with gynecological tumors.

METHODS

A total of 1062 women were included. Differences of platelet parameters (platelet count [PLT], plateletcrit [PCT], mean platelet volume [MPV], platelet-large cell rate [P-LCR], and platelet distribution width [PDW]) between different categories were analyzed by nonparametric test. The optimal cutoff value was calculated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. Overall survivals were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests for univariate analysis.

RESULTS

Platelet count and PCT were significantly increased, and MPV and P-LCR were significantly reduced in malign and benign gynecological tumor groups compared with the controls (P < .001); PDW had no significant differences. There were no significant differences in PLT, PCT, MPV, P-LCR, and PDW between different tumor locations and pathologic types. The optimal cutoff values of PLT, PCT, MPV and P-LCR were 274, 0.26, 10.08, and 24.8 (AUC: 0.661, 0.643, 0.593, 0.562), and PCT had preferable sensibility and specificity (50.84% and 70.42%) in predicting the presence of gynecological tumors. According to survival analysis, increased PLT (≥274 × 109 /L) and PCT (≥0.26), and induced MPV (<10.08 fL) and P-LCR (<24.8%) were associated with shorter overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Platelet count, PCT, MPV, and P-LCR can be used as preferable auxiliary parameters for predicting the presence of gynecological tumors. Increased PLT and PCT, or decreased MPV and P-LCR indicated a heavier tumor burden and shorter overall survival.

Nomograms based on the novel platelet index score predict postoperative prognosis in endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To identify preoperative platelet indexes with prognostic value and to develop and validate nomograms for predicting the survival of endometrial cancer (EC) patients.

METHODS

A total of 1198 women who received primary surgical treatment between January 2008 and January 2017 were included in the study. Data were randomly divided into a training set (70%, N = 840) and an external validation set (30%, n = 358). Cox regression analysis was performed in the training cohort to identify independent prognostic factors and develop nomograms for survival rate prediction.

RESULTS

High platelet count (PLT ≥350), high mean platelet volume (MPV ≥8.8) and low platelet distribution width (PDW <12.1) were independently associated with poor RFS and OS. PLT, MPV and PDW were thus incorporated in an innovative score called the platelet index score (PIS). The PIS was also an independent indicator, which was related to histology, lymph-vascular space invasion, lymph node involvement and FIGO stage (P = 0.007, P = 0.042, P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, we developed and validated two nomograms based on Cox regression models. The discriminative ability and calibration of the nomograms revealed good predictive ability, as indicated by the C-indexes and calibration plots. Moreover, both the IDI and NRI were improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Nomograms based on the PIS and clinicopathological features accurately predict recurrence-free survival and overall survival for EC patients.

Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of pretreatment thrombocytosis in patients with endometrial cancer: a meta-analysis

Background: The prognostic and clinicopathological role of pretreatment thrombocytosis in cancer has been widely studied, but conclusions in endometrial cancer (EnCa) remain controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the pathologic and prognostic impacts of pretreatment thrombocytosis in patients with EnCa. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Pooled HR or OR with their 95% CIs were applied to assess the association of pretreatment thrombocytosis with survival outcomes and clinical parameters of EnCa patients. Results: In total, 10 studies containing 2,995 cases of EnCa met the criteria. The results suggested that pretreatment thrombocytosis was significantly associated with high International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (pooled OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.68-7.08, P=0.001), poor tumor differentiation (pooled OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.22-3.29, P=0.006), lymph-vascular space invasion (pooled OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.35-3.07, P=0.001); myometrial invasion (pooled OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.39-3.32, P=0.001); cervical involvement (pooled OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.56-4.15, P=0.000) and lymph node metastasis (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.71-5.80, P=0.001). No significant difference existed between pretreatment thrombocytosis and overall survival (P=0.012), cancer/disease-specific survival (P=0.07) or disease-free survival (P=0.25). Conclusion: pretreatment thrombocytosis was associated with advanced clinicopathological features in patients with EnCa, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target for EnCa.

Prognostic Value of Systemic Inflammatory Indices, NLR, PLR, and MPV, for Predicting 1-Year Survival of Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) have been reported to be associated with the prognosis of various types of tumors. This study evaluated the prognostic value and clinical use of inflammatory markers for predicting 1-year survival in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This retrospective study included 160 patients who underwent CRS with HIPEC between July 2014 and April 2017. Data on NLR, PLR, and MPV were collected preoperatively and on postoperative days (POD) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. In a multivariate analysis using a cox proportional hazard regression model, higher values of preoperative NLR and MPV, PLR, and MPV on POD 2, 3, and 5 were associated with reduced 1-year survival after CRS with HIPEC. Patients with increased MPV showed lower rates of 1-year survival following CRS with HIPEC. In addition, elevated preoperative NLR and postoperative PLR were correlated with poor survival. These markers are able to stratify patients by risk profile, which may ultimately improve perioperative management and be helpful in improving outcomes following CRS with HIPEC.

Critical evaluation of platelet size as a prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer across multiple treatment settings: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The role of mean platelet volume (MPV) as a predictor of outcomes in various cancer entities including colorectal cancer (CRC) has already been analyzed. However, data on the prognostic and predictive value of MPV in CRC over multiple lines of systemic therapy are missing.

METHODS

In this retrospective single-center cohort study, 690 patients with UICC stage II, III or IV CRC receiving adjuvant and/or palliative chemotherapy were included. Primary endpoints in the adjuvant, palliative and best supportive care (BSC) setting were 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS), 6-months progression-free survival (PFS), and 6-months overall survival (OS), respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimators, log-rank tests, and uni- and multivariable Cox models were used to analyze RFS, PFS and OS. A cut-off defining patients with low MPV was chosen empirically at the 25th percentile of the MPV distribution in the respective treatment setting.

RESULTS

Three-year RFS was 76%. Median 6-month PFS estimates in 1st, 2nd and 3rd line therapy were 59, 37 and 27%, respectively. Median 6-month OS in BSC was 31%. Small platelets as indicated by low MPV did not predict for shorter RFS. In the first 3 palliative treatment lines a consistent association between low MPV and decreased 6-month PFS was not observed. In the BSC setting, patients with low MPV had numerically but not significantly shorter OS. Higher MPV levels did not consistently predict for ORR or DCR across the first 3 palliative treatment lines.

CONCLUSION

Small platelets are not predicting CRC outcomes, and thus are hardly useful for influencing clinical decision making.

The Fibrinogen to Mean Platelet Volume Ratio Can Predict Overall Survival of Patients with Non-Metastatic Gastric Cancer

Purpose

Fibrinogen and platelets have been reported to play important roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The aim of this research was to investigate the combination of functions of fibrinogen, platelets, and mean platelet volume (MPV) in predicting the survival of patients with gastric cancer (GC).

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted with 1,946 patients with GC and 299 patients with benign gastric tumor to analyze their fibrinogen, platelet, and MPV levels, and other clinicopathological characteristics along with their prognoses. Several indicators were evaluated along with fibrinogen, platelets, and MPV and their prognostic abilities were assessed. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were conducted to determine the independent risk factors for overall survival.

Results

Increased levels of fibrinogen, platelets, and MPV were observed with the progress of the GC stages. Elevated fibrinogen, platelets, and the combined indicators, including fibrinogen*MPV (FM), platelet*fibrinogen*MPV (PFM), fibrinogen/MPV (FMR), platelet*fibrinogen (PF), platelet*fibrinogen/MPV (PFMR), platelet*MPV (PM), and platelet/MPV (PMR), foreboded poor prognosis. Meanwhile fibrinogen and FMR can be considered as independent risk factors for overall survival in patients with non-metastatic GC. But these indicators can hardly predict survival of patients in stage IV.

Conclusions

Elevated fibrinogen, platelets, and MPV levels were in accordance with advanced stages, and fibrinogen, platelet, and MPV, in combination, can be used to predict survival of patients with non-metastatic GC. FMR was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of patients with GC.

Mean Platelet Volume, Red Cell Distribution Width, and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Before and After Surgery in Patients With Carotid Body Tumors

OBJECTIVE

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare hypervascular benign tumors that originate from the paraganglia at the carotid bifurcation. The red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) may serve as markers in inflammatory, cardiovascular, and neoplastic diseases. However, their prognostic value in CBTs is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the leukocyte count, MPV, RDW, and NLR before and after surgery in patients with CBTs.

METHODS

This retrospective trial included data from 80 patients with CBTs and 65 age-matched healthy controls. The leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts, RDW, and MPV were extracted and NLR was calculated from the complete blood count results of participants.

RESULTS

The leukocyte and neutrophil counts as well as RDW levels were significantly increased in patients with CBTs compared with healthy controls (P = 0.005, P = 0.003, and P = 0.026; respectively). Patients with CBTs had lower lymphocytes counts (P = 0.241) and higher NLRs (P = 0.054); however, the difference was statistically insignificant. Moreover, no statistically significant difference was detected between groups in terms of platelet counts and MPV levels. Furthermore, the leukocyte count, platelet numbers, MPV, RDW, and NLR levels in patients with CBTs were not statistically significant after surgery (all; P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This is the first study that documents the increased RDW levels and leukocyte count in patients with CBTs. The combined use of RDW and the leukocyte count along with other clinical assessments can be used as a biomarker for CBTs. Further clinical trials with larger cases series are required to determine the actual predictive roles of these systemic biomarkers.

Evaluation of complete blood count parameters to predict endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Complete blood count parameters have been introduced to be diagnostic biomarkers for many cancer-related diseases associated with inflammatory process. The aim of our study was to detect whether there is any relationship between benign or malignant endometrial pathologies and complete blood count parameters.

METHODS

Four hundred and sixteen patients with a complaint of abnormal uterine bleeding who admitted to Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Health Training and Research hospital between 2013 and 2016 and undergoing endometrial biopsy were included in the study. The patients were evaluated in three groups as follows: endometrial carcinoma (n: 97), endometrial hyperplasia (n: 135), and healthy control (n: 184) groups. All patients had a complete blood count on the day of biopsy or within the week of the biopsy, and the presence of a relationship between complete blood count parameters and benign or malignant endometrial disease was investigated.

RESULTS

Mean corpuscular volume measurements were found to be significantly higher in endometrial carcinoma (P = .018) and endometrial hyperplasia (P = .001) groups compared to the control group. While red cell distribution width measurements were found to be significantly lower in patients with endometrial carcinoma group compared to other groups (P < .01); the area under curve obtained for MPV is 58.7% to determine endometrial carcinoma.

CONCLUSION

Mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width are bio-markers that we can use as the predictive marker in patients with endometrial carcinoma and which are cheap, repeatable, and readily obtainable from complete blood count panels and promising.

Mean platelet volume as a possible biomarker of tumor progression in rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Rectal cancer is a major cause of death and an early diagnosis is crucial in decreasing mortality. Previous studies found a relation between chronic inflammation and increased risk of rectal cancer. It was shown that mean platelet volume (MPV) level might be a marker of subclinical inflammatory process in gastrointestinal tract.

OBJECTIVE

To determinate whether MPV could be a useful biomarker of tumor progression in the rectal cancer.

METHODS

One hundred and three patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgical resection of tumor were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of 98 healthy subjects.

RESULTS

The association between MPV, tumor stage and clinical status were assessed. The analysis proved that pre-operative MPV level was significantly lower in rectal cancer vs. healthy individuals (10.65 ± 0.79 vs. 11.41 ± 0.76 fL; p < 0.001).Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis suggested 11.3 as the cut-off value for MPV (sensitivity = 83%; specificity = 54%; AUC = 0.745). Surgical resection of tumor resulted in the increase of the MPV level with statistical significance (10.65 ± 0.79 fL vs. 11.21 ± 0.82 fL; p < 0.001). No relationship was found between the post-operative MPV level in cancer patients and control subjects.

CONLUSION

MPV level may be potentially useful and easily available biomarker for monitoring subclinical inflammation related to rectal cancer and predicting tumor progression.

Role of increased mean platelet volume (MPV) and decreased MPV/platelet count ratio as poor prognostic factors in lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

In this study, they investigated whether mean thrombocyte volume (MPV) and MPV/platelet count ratio have a prognostic significance in advanced NSCLC or not.

METHODS

A total of 496 NSCLC patients at stage IIIB/IV and did not meet exclusion criteria were included in the study. The demographic features (age, gender, smoking habit), clinical characteristics (performance status, weight loss, disease stage, first-line treatment regimen), laboratory tests (levels of hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase and calcium as well as MPV, MPV/platelet count ratio and counts of white blood cell, platelet), and histological features (histologic type, tumor grade) were recorded.

RESULTS

The MPV levels of all patients were determined as 10.2 {plus minus} 3.4 (range, 6.4-14.1 fL). With ROC curve analysis, the MPV/PC ratio was associated with a sensitivity of 67.8% and a specificity of 84.8% at a cutoff value of 0.47424 for presence of brain metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Univariate analysis showed that OS was significantly shorter in the group with an increased MPV level than in the other group (median OS time 6.8 months vs. 11.5 months, log-rank, P = .032). Multivariate analysis confirmed that an increased MPV level was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS (HR: 1.704, 95% CI: 1.274-3.415, P = .014).

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike results of previous studies, the study showed that increased MPV was an important prognostic factor in patients with NSCLC. Hence, an increased MPV level may be used as a prognostic biomarker to estimate for poor overall survival in patients with NSCLC.

Evaluation of Platelet Indices in Lung Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to determine platelet indices such as platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), Plateletcrit (PCT) platelet count (PLT) in lung cancer cases, and evaluate any relationships between these parameters and stage or histologic types.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study covered 44 lung cancer patients and 47 healthy subjects. Platelet indices including PLT, PCT, MPV, PDW were estimated and compared with normal subjects. The results were evaluated statistically.

RESULTS

The PDW value was significantly higher in the cancer group compared to the control group; however, the values for PCT and MPV were lower.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest potential use of platelet indices in diagnosis of lung cancer.

Combination of platelet count and mean platelet volume (COP-MPV) predicts postoperative prognosis in both resectable early and advanced stage esophageal squamous cell cancer patients

The aim of this study is to search the most powerful prognostic factor from routine blood test for esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) patients. Multiple laboratory tests were evaluated including those reflecting red blood cell parameters (hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW)), platelet morphological parameters (mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PLT)), blood coagulation status (D-dimer), and tumor biomarker (CA19-9). Known inflammatory indices (NLR and PLR) were also calculated. A total of 468 patients who were diagnosed with ESCC between December 2005 and December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. By utilizing univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses, we found that PLT and MPV were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of ESCC patients, with optimal cutoff values of 212 and 10.6, respectively. Moreover, the combination of the preoperative PLT and MPV (COP-MPV) was calculated as follows: patients with both PLT (≥212 × 10(9) L(-1)) and MPV (≥10.6 fL) elevation were assigned a score of 2, and patients with one or neither were assigned a score of 1 and 0. The COP-MPV was an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio (HR) 0.378, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.241 to 0.593, P < 0.001, 0/2) and DFS (HR 0.341, 95 % CI 0.218 to 0.534, P < 0.001, 0/2) in multivariate analyses. In subgroup analyses for early (stages I and II) and locally (stage III) advanced stage patients, COP-MPV was found significantly associated with OS and DFS in each group (P = 0.025 and P = 0.018 for OS and P = 0.029 and P = 0.002 for DFS). In conclusion, we considered that COP-MPV is a promising predictor for postoperative survival in ESCC patients.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratios in endometrial hyperplasia

Objective

The purpose of present study was to evaluate association between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and endometrial hyperplasia (EH).

Methods

One hundred and ten women with abnormal uterine bleeding were included into the study. Blood samples were drawn from all patients to obtain complete blood cell counts, neutrophil-leukocyte ratio and platelet-leukocyte ratio before endometrial curettage procedure initiated. The patients were divided into three groups due to their pathological results: group 1, patients with EH without atypia (n=40); group 2, patients with EH with atypia (n=15); and group 3, patients with neither hyperplasia nor cancer as control group (n=55). Blood cell counts, NLRs and PLRs were compared among these groups.

Results

Based on hemoglobin and platelet counts, there was no significant difference among these groups (P>0.05). Leukocyte and neutrophil counts were higher in group 2 (EH with atypia) than group 1 and group 3 (P<0.01). NLR of group 2 was significantly elevated when compared to group 1 and group 3 (P=0.004). PLR was higher in group 1 and group 2 than control group (P=0.024).

Conclusion

Non-specific inflammatory markers such as NLR and PLR were elevated in women with atypical EH. These markers may be used as a predictor of atypical EH in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.

Relationships between C-kit expression and mean platelet volume in benign, preneoplastic and neoplastic endometrium

BACKGROUND

c-Kit is a proto-oncogene that encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor (CD117). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a useful marker for demonstrating thrombocyte function. We aimed to investigate whether c-kit is expressed in benign, preneoplastic and neoplastic endometrial tissues and whether MPV has a relation with c-kit expression and its intensity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

c-Kit expression was investigated immunohistochemically in 10 samples of normal endometrium (n=10), simple endometrial hyperplasia (5 cases with atypia and 10 cases without atypia), complex endometrial hyperplasia (10 cases with atypia and 10 cases without atypia) and endometrial cancer (EC) (10 cases grade I and 10 cases grade II) and MPV of all cases was checked.

RESULTS

c-Kit expression was observed at very low rates in cases with normal endometrial tissues (NE) and in hyperplasia without atypia. c-Kit expression and immunostaining were strong in endometrial atypia and EC. MPV levels of complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia (CAEH) (p:0.002), EC grade I (ECG I) (p<0.001) and EC grade II (ECG II) (p<0.001) were significantly elevated when compared with the NE group. Both c-kit expression and intensity of immunostaining had a positive correlation with MPV level.

CONCLUSIONS

While c-kit expression and intensity of immunostaining were mildly positive in NE and hyperplasia without atypia, they were clearly observed in EC and hyperplasia with atypia. As c-kit expression is related to the mutagenesis a long-term follow- up may be needed in these cases. A high MPV level may be a good test for demonstrating c-kit expression and intensity of immunostaining.

Mean platelet volume could be a useful biomarker for monitoring epithelial ovarian cancer

New studies show that inflammatory markers and blood cells may be related to epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We aimed to examine whether mean platelet volume would be a useful marker for EOC patients to predict tumour burden and prognosis, and investigate the difference in MPV values between EOC patients and healthy controls. We retrospectively investigated 113 ovarian cancer patients who underwent surgery between January 2008 and July 2012 and 90 healthy subjects. MPV levels were significantly higher in preoperative EOC patients compared with healthy subjects (8.26 fl vs 7.71 fl; p = 0.004). Also NLR and PLR values were significantly higher in EOC patients (NLR, 3.48 vs 2.37; p = 0.000; PLR, 241 vs 148; p = 0.000). Surgical tumour resection resulted in a significant decrease in MPV levels (8.26 fl vs 7.61 fl; p = 0.001). NLR values also decreased after tumour resection significantly similar to CA125 (NLR, 3.48 vs 2.49; p = 0.000). Our data suggests that MPV could be a promising and easily available biomarker for monitoring EOC patients.