The Role of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Platelets in the Prognosis of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Oncology. 2019;97(1):7-17. doi: 10.1159/000498943. Epub 2019 May 2.

Abstract

Objective(s): The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelets (PLT), and neutrophil level for their prognostic value in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Materials: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 141 patients with mRCC (2006-2016). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with the Cox proportional hazards regression model. The cutoff value of NLR was "elevated" as >3.68 and the PLR cutoff value was "elevated" as >144.4.

Results: The median PFS and OS were shorter in elevated NLR and PLR. A higher value of PLT was associated with worse median OS and higher neutrophil level with worse OS and PFS. In multivariate analysis, higher NLR (p = 0.007) and PLR (p = 0.006) were independent prognostic factors for shorter OS together with BMI ≤30 (p = 0.004), higher Fuhrman grade (p = 0.0002), lower level of hemoglobin (p= 0.010), and ZUBROD 2 (p = 0.0002). Higher PLR (p = 0.0002) was an independent negative prognostic factor for PFS together with higher Fuhrman grade (p = 0.001), higher neutrophil level (p = 0.001), and lower lymphocyte level (p = 0.013).

Conclusion: Elevated pretreatment NLR, PLR, PLT, and neutrophil count are associated with shorter OS and PFS in patients with mRCC. NLR and PLR are independent prognostic factors for OS. However, PLR and neutrophil count are independent prognostic factors for PFS.

Keywords: Kidney cancer; Neutrophil; Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio; Platelet-lymphocyte ratio; Platelets; Prognostic factors.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Platelets / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / blood*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neutrophils / pathology*
  • Platelet Count
  • Prognosis
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Retrospective Studies