Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in malignant pleural fluid: Prognostic significance

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250628
• Publication Date: 2021-04-26T17:35:20Z
• Authors: Natalia Popowicz; Hui Min Cheah; Cynthia Gregory; Alina Miranda; Ian M. Dick; Y. C. Gary Lee; Jenette Creaney
• Keywords: Univariate analysis

Predicting survival of patients with malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) is notoriously difficult. A robust prognostic marker can guide clinical decision making. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in blood has been shown to predict many cancers. Pleural fluid bathes the tissues, thus NLR may reflect more closely local tumour environment. objective this study was explore significance effusion for MPE. We analysed matched and from 117 24 benign effusions. Those who had received recent chemotherapy or a pleurodesis were excluded. Neutrophil lymphocyte counts performed by manual review cytospin cell preparations trained observers. Clinical data extracted state-wide hospital database. found significantly fewer neutrophils (expressed as percentage total leukocyte count) than corresponding (9% vs 73%; p<0.001). an order magnitude lower blood: median [IQR] = 0.20 [0.04–1.18] 4.9 [3.0–8.3], p<0.001. Correlation between MPE moderate (r s 0.321, In univariate analysis, (>0.745)) predictive poorer (HR 1.698 [1.0054–2.736]; p 0.030), remained significant after adjustment age, sex, presence chest drain, cancer type, concurrent infection subsequent treatment 1.786 [1.089–2.928]; 0.022). Patients > 0.745 shorter 130 (95% CI 0–282) days compared 312 195–428) < 0.745, 0.026. also 1.959 [1.019–3.096]; proportion prognosis strongly lymphocytes. This provides evidence that survival, therefore provide information cohort. association driven neutrophils.