Prognostic Value of Systemic Inflammation Markers (NLR and Haemoglobin) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Survival Analysis from a Real-World Single-Centre Cohort Study

TL;DR

This study finds that high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is linked to worse survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients, suggesting it could be a useful prognostic tool.

Contribution

The study evaluates the prognostic value of baseline and longitudinal NLR and haemoglobin levels in a real-world NSCLC cohort.

Findings

High baseline NLR showed a borderline association with shorter progression-free survival.

NLR increase at 12 months showed a non-significant trend toward shorter progression-free survival.

Low haemoglobin did not show a significant independent association with survival outcomes.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: In real-world NSCLC management, prognostic assessment extends beyond tumour staging and molecular profiling, which represent a partial timeframe of disease biology. Routinely collected inflammatory and haematological markers may better reflect the dynamic host–tumour interactions during treatment. This study assessed the prognostic significance of baseline and longitudinal neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and haemoglobin levels on survival outcomes in a real-world NSCLC cohort. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of 615 patients with histologically confirmed NSCLC diagnosed between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2024 at a tertiary referral centre in western Romania. Survival outcomes, including progression-free and overall survival, were analysed through Kaplan–Meier curves, complemented by 12-month restricted mean survival time estimates. High NLR was defined as ≥3 and low haemoglobin as <12 g/dL. Longitudinal changes were evaluated at 6 and 12 months, with 12-month analyses restricted to patients alive at that landmark. Results: The cohort had a median age of 66 years (IQR 60–72) and was predominantly male (66.3%). Most patients presented with advanced disease (60.3% stage IV, 23.6% stage III). At baseline, 57.1% (n = 351) exhibited high NLR and 39.8% (n = 245) had low haemoglobin. Median PFS was 9.0 months (IQR 4.5–15.5), and median OS was 16.5 months (IQR 8.5–27.0). Stage IV disease was associated with shorter PFS than stages I–II (7.0 vs. 20.8 months; log-rank p < 0.001). High-baseline NLR showed a borderline association with shorter PFS (adjusted HR 1.40; 95% CI 0.98–1.95). Among the 436 patients alive at 12 months, NLR increased in 56.7% of cases, and this increase showed a non-significant trend toward shorter PFS (HR 1.35; 95% CI 0.95–1.90; p = 0.09) in a 12-month landmark analysis. Conclusions: Baseline systemic inflammation and anaemia are highly prevalent in real-world NSCLC patients and cluster with advanced disease. Elevated NLR was associated with poorer survival outcomes, whereas low haemoglobin did not demonstrate a significant independent association in adjusted analyses. These haematological parameters are accessible tools for prognostic assessment in routine clinical practice.

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