Prognostic importance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in malignant peritoneal mesothelioma patients receiving cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy

BMC Cancer 2025 February 14 [Link]

Zhang Xinjing, Gong Lei, Li Xinbao, Ji Zhonghe, Yang Zhiran, Gao Chao, Zhang Kai, Yan Lijun, Yan Guojun, Yu Junhui, Zhang Yanbin, An Songlin

Abstract

Background: Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare but aggressive cancer. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was the preferred choice for selected patients. The purpose of this study was to thoroughly examine the impact of the combined treatment and the prognostic variables, particularly the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

Methods: Characteristics of MPM patients who underwent CRS combined HIPEC treatment, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy were retrospectively collected. The univariable analysis was performed to identify the decisive influential factor. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative probability of survival was determined. Using Univariate Cox analysis, the prognostic factors-particularly NLR-and its correlation with survival were assessed. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, predictive factors that demonstrated significance in univariate analysis were used. The degree of connection between predictors and survival was evaluated through the use of hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: A total of 64 patients were enrolled in this study. The 1, 3, 5 years survival rates were 70.3%, 65.6%, 59.4%, respectively. According to multivariate Cox analysis, patients’ survival was found to be substantially associated with post-operative NLR (HR 0.180, 0.067-0.531), Ki-67 (HR 0.184, 0.024-0.817), post-operative neutrophil count (HR 0.228, 0.075-0.696), and bidirectional pathological type (HR, 0.375, 0.146-0.964).

Conclusions: NLR is associated with the patients’ prognosis after CRS combined HIPEC treatment.