Chen L, et al. – The prognostic value of the monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) was assessed in patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving S–1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX) or oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen. For this group of patients, results suggested the use of MLR as a convenient and cheap prognostic marker.

Methods

• Analysts retrospectively collected the data from Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital from August 2008 to September 2015.
• They enrolled ninety-one patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
• Before neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the blood samples were collected.
• Two groups were formed for the MLR: Low-MLR <0.27 group and high-MLR ≥0.27 group.
• By using the Kaplan–Meier method, survival curves were performed and compared using the log-rank test.
• In order to determine independent prognostic factors, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model were evaluated.

Results

• As compared to high-MLR value group, median disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were better in low-MLR value group (median DFS 26.80 and 23.73 months, P=0.653, respectively; median OS 27.93 and 26.87 months, P=0.807, respectively).
• It was reported that MLR level was not an independent prognostic factor of DFS and OS.
• They highlighted that median DFS and OS for all patients were better for patients with low monocyte values compared to those with high monocyte values (median DFS 30.23 and 21.03 months, P=0.645, respectively.
• In addition, median OS 37.97 and 25.83 months, P=0.509, respectively); in patients with high lymphocyte values compared with low lymphocyte values median DFS was 26.87 and 21.03 months, (P=0.624) respectively; median OS was 27.93 and 26.37 months, (P=0.584) respectively.
• However, data depicted better 5-year DFS and OS rates in the patients with low level MLR.