Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Is Associated With Occurrence of Febrile Neutropenia in Patients Treated With 5-Fluorouracil and Cisplatin

Abstract

Background/aim: This study aimed to determine whether a high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was associated with the occurrence of febrile neutropenia (FN).

Patients and methods: Japanese patients with esophageal cancer who had been treated with first-line 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin therapy at Fujita Health University from April 2016 to March 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was the identification of independent risk factors for FN.

Results: One hundred and fourteen patients were enrolled. Advanced cancer (hazard ratios (HR)=6.731) and an NLR ≥3 (HR=4.849) were identified as risk factors for FN. Furthermore, FN occurred earlier in patients with high NLR than in patients with low NLR.

Conclusion: Advanced cancer and a high NLR might be predictors of the occurrence of severe neutropenia and FN in patients treated with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin therapy.

Keywords: 5-fluorouracil; Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio; cisplatin; febrile neutropenia.