Changes in Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio Predict Efficacy of Trabectedin for Soft-tissue Sarcoma

Cancer Diagn Progn. 2021 Jul 3;1(4):303-308. doi: 10.21873/cdp.10040. eCollection 2021 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Background/aim: Trabectedin and eribulin are widely used for the treatment of soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). Previously it was shown that the baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicts the efficacy of eribulin for STS. However, prognostic factors for trabectedin on STS have not been identified to date.

Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of data collected prospectively from 39 patients treated with trabectedin for recurrent or metastatic STS between October 2012 and December 2019. To determine the predictive factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results: Age ≥40 (HR=0.33, 95% CI=0.15-0.71; p=0.0050) and changes in NLR (ΔNLR) <0.5 (HR=2.40, 95% CI-1.01-5.72; p=0.048) were independent factors predictive of longer OS. In addition, age ≥40 (HR=0.23, 95% CI=0.10-0.52; p<0.001) was an independent predictor of longer PFS.

Conclusion: Changes in NLR and age ≥40 years were able to predict the efficacy of trabectedin for STS.

Keywords: NLR; Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; STS; softtissue sarcoma; trabectedin.