Neutrophils-to-lymphocytes, lymphocytes to-monocytes and platelets-to-lymphocytes ratios - predictive biomarkers for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

J BUON. 2020 Jan-Feb;25(1):182-187.

Abstract

Purpose: Several biomarkers have been reported to correlate with neoadjuvant chemotherapy response. Our aim was to establish the correlation between neutrophils-to-lymphocytes (NLR), lymphocytes-to-monocytes (LMR), and platelets-to-lymphocytes ratios (PLR) and the Miller Payne grade (MPG) and Residual Cancer Burden Score (RCB), as indicators to response to chemotherapy.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from the First Surgical Clinic database between January 2016 and December 2018.

Results: 96 patients were included in the study. The multivariate regression analysis showed a statistical correlation between oestrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status, Ki67 over 15%, and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and MPG and RCB. For the three studied ratios, p value was statistical not significative. ROC curve showed a cut-off value of 2.7 NLR, for which correlation with the pathological complete response to chemotherapy (pCR) was significative (p=0.03).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that NLR can be a predictive biomarker for pCR. Further studies, on larger sample size, are necessary to establish the correlation with MPG and RCB.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / chemistry*
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy / methods*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor