Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Mar 15, 2024; 16(3): 577-582
Published online Mar 15, 2024. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i3.577
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio: Markers predicting immune-checkpoint inhibitor efficacy and immune-related adverse events
Qiu-Yu Jiang, Ru-Yi Xue
Qiu-Yu Jiang, Ru-Yi Xue, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Liver Disease, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Ru-Yi Xue, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Baoshan District Wusong Central Hospital (Zhongshan Hospital Wusong Branch, Fudan University), Shanghai 200940, China
Author contributions: Jiang QY wrote the original draft; Xue RY conceptualized and revised the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Ru-Yi Xue, MD, PhD, Chief Physician, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Liver Disease, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China. xue.ruyi@zs-hospital.sh.cn
Received: November 1, 2023
Peer-review started: November 1, 2023
First decision: December 6, 2023
Revised: December 14, 2023
Accepted: January 18, 2024
Article in press: January 18, 2024
Published online: March 15, 2024
Processing time: 131 Days and 21.1 Hours
Abstract

We conducted a comprehensive review of existing prediction models pertaining to the efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) and the occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The predictive potential of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in determining ICI effectiveness has been extensively investigated, while limited research has been conducted on predicting irAEs. Furthermore, the combined model incorporating NLR and PLR, either with each other or in conjunction with additional markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen, exhibits superior predictive capabilities compared to individual markers alone. NLR and PLR are promising markers for clinical applications. Forthcoming models ought to incorporate established efficacious models and newly identified ones, thereby constituting a multifactor composite model. Furthermore, efforts should be made to explore effective clinical application approaches that enhance the predictive accuracy and efficiency.

Keywords: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio; Immune-checkpoint inhibitor; Immune-related adverse event

Core Tip: The negative correlation between high baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the effectiveness of immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment has been confirmed in non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there is a scarcity of studies investigating the prediction of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) occurrence. By incorporating NLR and PLR with other potential risk factors, it is possible to enhance the predictive accuracy of both ICI response and irAEs occurrence through the development of joint prediction models. This approach can aid in the selection of appropriate candidates for ICIs.