Prognostic Role of Blood Markers in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Patients Treated With High-Dose Methotrexate-Based Therapy

Pre-treatment systemic inflammation response index and systemic immune inflammation in patients with primary central nerve system lymphoma as a useful prognostic indicator

PURPOSE

The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) are based on neutrophil, monocyte, platelet, and lymphocyte counts. The SIRI and SII are used to predict the survival of patients with malignant tumors. It is well known that the inflammatory immune response is closely related to cancer occurrence and progression. In the present study, we evaluated the potential prognostic significance of SIRI and SII in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODS

Fifty-eight consecutive patients were enrolled in this study between November 2006 and May 2022. Among the 58 patients, 47 patients with sufficient blood test data and follow-up were analyzed. The patients with steroid intake at the time point of the blood test and higher C-reactive protein were excluded.

RESULTS

The median follow-up and survival times were 31 and 36 months, respectively. The optimal cutoff SIRI value was based on the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for overall survival (OS) and stratified patients into low (< 1.43 × 109/L, n = 22) and high (≥ 1.43 × 109/L, n = 25) SIRI groups. The optimal cutoff SII value based on the ROC for OS stratified patients into low (< 694.9, n = 28) and high (≥ 694.9, n = 19) SII groups. A low SIRI value was associated with longer OS (p = 0.006). Furthermore, a low SII value was associated with longer OS (p = 0.044). The prognostic factors associated with prolonged survival in univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model were age < 65 years, low SIRI, and low SII. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that age < 65 years and low SIRI independently predicted longer OS.

CONCLUSION

Simple, less expensive, and routinely ordered preoperative blood count assessments such as SIRI and SII predict the OS of patients with PCNSL. This study demonstrated that PCNSL is associated with pre-treatment systemic immune-inflammation states.

Day 4 and day 0 neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios as predictors of treatment failure with single-dose methotrexate for ectopic pregnancies

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) between day 4 and day 0 in ectopic pregnancy (EP) patients treated with single-dose methotrexate (MTX) and investigate its predictive value for treatment outcome.

METHODS

A total of 406 EP patients receiving single-dose MTX therapy at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital from January 10, 2013 to September 30, 2019 were studied. A multivariate model was constructed to predict treatment outcome.

RESULTS

Among the 406 patients, 281 were treated successfully. Treatment success declined significantly when NLR decreased by less than 23% (74.8% vs 58.5%, P = 0.004). Multivariate regression analysis identified NLR reduction of less than 23% on day 4 (odds ratio [OR] 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-3.44), a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) decrease of 15% or less (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.62-6.34), and an hCG increase of more than 15% on day 4 (OR 5.47, 95% CI 3.05-10.22) as independent risk factors for single-dose MTX treatment failure. The final predictive model had a sensitivity of 0.768 and a specificity of 0.569, using a cut-off value of 3. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.712. Patients with a predictive score of ≥3 were more likely to fail single-dose MTX therapy.

CONCLUSION

The present study concluded that an NLR decrease of less than 23% on day 4, a plateau or increase in serum hCG on day 4, and an hCG value greater than 1000 mIU/mL on day 0 were predictors of single-dose MTX treatment failure in EP patients.

Prognostic value of POD18 combined with improved IELSG in primary central nervous system lymphoma

PURPOSE

The International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) score is widely used in clinical practice to stratify the risk of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) patients. Our study aims to confirm and improve the IELSG score in PCNSL patients based on Chinese populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 79 PCNSL patients were retrospectively analyzed. All patients treated with high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-based therapy collected clinical data. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values for the factors in IELSG score. Progression of disease (POD) at the most landmark time point was determine by Epanechnikov kernel and the area under the ROC curve (AUROC). Kaplan-Meier and multivariable regression methods were used to analyze survival data. Nomogram was generated for calculating the weight of each selected factor.

RESULTS

The traditional IELSG score had no significant difference on OS and PFS except ECOG ≥ 2 and could not stratify the risk groups in PCNSL. The improved IELSG scoring system was established, which incorporated age ≥ 54 years, ECOG ≥ 2, deep brain structure, elevated CSF protein, and LDH/ULN > 0.75. On the other hand, POD18 was identified as a new powerful prognostic factor for PCNSL. In multivariate analysis, POD18 and the improved IELSG scoring system were independent prognostic factors for OS. Nomogram including the two significant variables showed the best performance (C-index = 0.828).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the IELSG score was improved and a new prognostic indicator POD18 was incorporated to construct a nomogram prognostic model, thereby further improving the predictive ability of the model.

Extranodal lymphoma: pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

Approximately 30% of lymphomas occur outside the lymph nodes, spleen, or bone marrow, and the incidence of extranodal lymphoma has been rising in the past decade. While traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy can improve survival outcomes for certain patients, the prognosis for extranodal lymphoma patients remains unsatisfactory. Extranodal lymphomas in different anatomical sites often have distinct cellular origins, pathogenic mechanisms, and clinical manifestations, significantly influencing their diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a comprehensive summary of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment progress of extranodal lymphoma overall and specifically for different anatomical sites. This review summarizes the current progress in the common key signaling pathways in the development of extranodal lymphomas and intervention therapy. Furthermore, it provides insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies of common extranodal lymphomas, including gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, mycosis fungoides (MF), natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (nasal type, NKTCL-NT), and primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Additionally, as PCNSL is one of the extranodal lymphomas with the worst prognosis, this review specifically summarizes prognostic indicators and discusses the challenges and opportunities related to its clinical applications. The aim of this review is to assist clinical physicians and researchers in understanding the current status of extranodal lymphomas, enabling them to make informed clinical decisions that contribute to improving patient prognosis.

Prognostic impact of peripheral natural killer cells in primary central nervous system lymphoma

Background

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of circulating NK cells in PCNSL.

Materials and methods

Patients diagnosed with PCNSL who were treated at our institution between December 2018 and December 2019 were retrospectively screened. Patient variables including age, sex, Karnofsky performance status, diagnostic methods, location of lesions, lactate dehydrogenase, cerebrospinal fluids (CSF), and vitreous fluids involvement or not were documented. NK cell count and NK cell proportion (NK cell count/lymphocyte count) in the peripheral blood were evaluated by flow cytometry. Some patients underwent two consecutive NK cell tests before and three weeks after chemotherapy (before the next chemotherapy). The fold change in NK cell proportion and NK cell counts were calculated. CD56-positive NK cells in tumor tissue were assessed by immunohistochemistry. NK cell cytotoxicity assay was performed using flow cytometry.

Results

A total of 161 patients with PCNSL were included in this study. The median NK cell count of all NK cell tests was 197.73/μL (range 13.11-1889.90 cells/μL). The median proportion of NK cells was 14.11% (range 1.68-45.15%) for all. Responders had a higher median NK cell count (p<0.0001) and NK cell proportion (p<0.0001) than non-responders. Furthermore, Responders had a higher median fold change in NK cell proportion than non-responders (p=0.019) or patients in complete remission/partial remission (p<0.0001). A higher median fold change in NK cell count was observed in responders than in non-responders (p=0.0224) or patients in complete remission/partial remission (p=0.0002). For newly diagnosed PCNSL, patients with a high NK cell count (>165 cells/μL) appeared to have a longer median overall survival than those with a low NK cell count (p=0.0054). A high fold change in the proportion of NK cells (>0.1957; p=0.0367) or NK cell count (>0.1045; p=0.0356) was associated with longer progression-free survival. Circulating NK cells from newly-diagnosed PCNSL demonstrated an impaired cytotoxicity capacity compared to those from patients with PCNSL in complete remission or healthy donors.

Conclusion

Our study indicated that circulating NK cells had some impact on the outcome of PCNSL.

A novel inflammation-related prognostic model for predicting the overall survival of primary central nervous system lymphoma: A real-world data analysis

Background

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a type of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although there are widely used prognostic scores, their accuracy and practicality are insufficient. Thus, a novel prognostic prediction model was developed for risk stratification of PCNSL patients in our research.

Methods

We retrospectively collected 122 patients with PCNSL from two medical centers in China from January 2010 to June 2022. Among them, 72 patients were used as the development cohort to construct a new model, and 50 patients were used for the validation. Then, by using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analsis and Lasso analysis, the Xijing model was developed and composed of four variables, including lesion number, β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and Karnofsky performance status (KPS). Finally, we evaluated the Xijing model through internal and external validation.

Results

Compared with the original prognostic scores, the Xijing model has an overall improvement in predicting the prognosis of PCNSL according to the time-dependent area under the curve (AUC), Harrell’s concordance index (C-index), decision curve analysis (DCA), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and continuous net reclassification index (NRI). For overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), the Xijing model can divide PCNSL patients into three groups, and shows more accurate stratification ability. In addition, the Xijing model can still stratify and predict prognosis similarly better in the elderly with PCNSL and subgroups received high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) or Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi). Finally, external validation confirmed the above results.

Conclusions

Integrating four prognostic factors, including imaging findings, tumor burden, systemic inflammation response index, and comprehensive physical condition, we provided a novel prognostic model for PCNSL based on real-world data and evaluated its predictive capacity.

Proposed new prognostic model using the systemic immune-inflammation index for primary central nervous system lymphoma: A prospective-retrospective multicohort analysis

PURPOSE

The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been considered a novel prognostic biomarker in several types of lymphoma. Our aims were to determine the best statistical relationship between pretreatment SII and survival and to combination of SII and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center model (MSKCC) to derive the best prognostic mode in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODS

Pretreatment SII and clinical data in 174 newly diagnosed PCNSL patients were included from two retrospective discovery cohorts (n = 128) and one prospective validation cohort (n = 46). A generalized additive model, Kaplan-Meier curve, and Cox analysis were performed. The high risk versus low risk of SII-MSKCC for the PCNSL cutoff point (0-1 vs. 2-4) was determined by the minimum P-value approach.

RESULTS

The SII showed a U-shaped relationship with the risk of overall survival (OS; P = 0.006). The patients with low SII or high SII had poorer OS and progression-free survival (PFS) than those with median SII. For PFS and OS, SII-MSKCC was a better predictor than MSKCC alone. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the SII-MSKCC score was 0.84 for OS and 0.78 for PFS in the discovery cohorts. The predictive value of the SII-MSKCC score (OS, 0.88; PFS, 0.95) was verified through the validation cohort. Multivariable Cox analysis and Kaplan-Meier curve showed excellent performance for SII-MSKCC, with significant separation of two groups and better performance than MSKCC alone.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose a new prognostic model using SII, age, and Karnofsky score that outperforms MSKCC alone and enables individualized estimates of patient outcome.

Prognostic value of circulating lymphocyte subsets in primary central nervous system lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Immunity plays an important role in CNS-DLBCL development. CNS-DLBCL predictive factors need to be improved.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the predictive value of circulating lymphocyte subsets in PCNSL patients.

METHODS

We prospectively analyzed blood lymphocyte immunophenotyping (LIP) in newly CNS-DLBCL referred to our institution between December 2013 and January 2020. LIP analysis was performed before rituximab and chemotherapy administration. The clinical, radiological, histological, biological and treatment data were retrospectively collected.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients were included with a median age of 69.7 (range 21.7-87.5). Median KPS was 60 (range 30-100). Thirty-three patients (64%) presented with one or several lymphopenias: 21 (40%), 24 (46%) and 9 (17%) NK, T and B lymphopenias respectively. Only 11 patients (21%) had normal LIP. Median CD4+/CD8+ ratio was 2.11 (range 0.54-9.11). This ratio was normal, low or high in 27%, 28% and 44% of patients respectively. The presence of steroids did not impact LIP results. Complete, partial responses, stable and progressive disease (PD) were observed in 24 (50%), 10 (21%), 4 (8%), and 10 (21%) patients respectively. CD4+/CD8+ ratio tended to be different between refractory (PD patients) and non-refractory patients (p = 0.077, ROC AUC: 0.684). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 14.7 (95%CI 6.5-22.9) and 43.2 (95%CI 21.6-64.9) months, respectively. In multivariate analyses, adjusted by KPS, a CD4+/CD8+ ratio > 1.97 was associated with poor PFS [p = 0.043, HR = 3.32 (1.02-4.88)] and tended to be associated with worse OS (p = 0.064).

CONCLUSION

LIP at baseline may predict refractory disease and exhibits a prognostic value in CNS-DLBCL patients.

A Prognostic Model Using Post-Steroid Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Overall Survival in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

Background: Ratios of differential blood counts (hematological indices, HIs) had been identified as prognostic variables in various cancers. In primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs), higher baseline neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in particular was found to portend a worse overall survival. However, it was often observed that differential counts shift drastically following steroid administration. Moreover, steroids are an important part of the arsenal against PCNSL due to its potent lymphotoxic effects. We showed that the effect of steroids on differential blood cell counts and HIs could be an early biomarker for subsequent progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Methods: This study retrospectively identified all adult patients who received a brain biopsy from 2008 to 2019 and had histologically confirmed PCNSL, and included only those who received chemoimmunotherapy, with documented use of corticosteroids prior to treatment induction. Different blood cell counts and HIs were calculated at three time-points: baseline (pre steroid), pre chemoimmunotherapy (post steroid) and post chemoimmunotherapy. Tumor progression and survival data were collected and analyzed through Kaplan−Meier estimates and Cox regression. We then utilized selected variables found to be significant on Kaplan−Meier analysis to generate a decision-tree prognostic model, the NNI-NCCS score. Results: A total of 75 patients who received chemoimmunotherapy were included in the final analysis. For NLR, OS was longer with higher pre-chemoimmunotherapy (post-steroid) NLR (dichotomized at NLR ≥ 4.0, HR 0.42, 95% CI: 0.21−0.83, p = 0.01) only. For platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), OS was better for lower post-chemoimmunotherapy PLR (dichotomized at PLR ≥ 241, HR 2.27, 95% CI: 1.00 to 5.18, p = 0.05) and lower pre-chemoimmunotherapy (post-steroid) LMR (dichotomized at LMR ≥25.7, HR 2.17, 95% CI: 1.10 to 4.31, p = 0.03), respectively, only. The decision-tree model using age ≤70, post-steroid NLR >4.0, and pre-steroid (baseline) NLR <2.5 and the division of patients into three risk profiles—low, medium, and high—achieved good accuracy (area-under-curve of 0.78), with good calibration (Brier score: 0.16) for predicting 2-year overall survival. Conclusion: We found that post-steroid NLR, when considered together with baseline NLR, has prognostic value, and incorporation into a prognostic model allowed for accurate and well-calibrated stratification into three risk groups.