Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in metastatic colorectal cancer

Objective This study investigated the prognostic value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR) in predicting clinical outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(m CRC) undergoing irinotecanbased first-line chemotherapy. Methods This study was based on a Chinese prospective multicenter trial(NCT01282658). Baseline complete blood cell counts were performed. Survival was determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analyses based on the Cox regression model were performed to determine the effects of independent biomarkers. Results A total of 139 patients were evaluated. Values below the median NLR were associated with better progression-free survival(PFS)(9.9 vs 7.7 months, P = 0.043) and overall survival(OS)(21.8 vs 15.1 months, P = 0.013). These effects remained significant in multivariate analysis. Conclusion NLR is an independent prognostic marker of m CRC treated with first-line irinotecan-based therapy in a Chinese population.