The association between treatment-related lymphopenia and survival in newly diagnosed patients with resected adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
Fifty-three patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma were studied to determine if adjuvant chemo-radiation causes severe lymphopenia and if this is associated with adverse outcomes. Total lymphocyte counts (TLC) were normal in 91% before adjuvant chemo-radiation. Two months later, TLC fell by 63% (p < .0001) with 45% of patients having TLC < 500 cells/mm(3). Median survival in patients with low TLC was 14 versus 20 months (p = .048). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between treatment related lymphopenia and survival (HR 2.2, p = .014). Adjuvant chemo-radiation induced lymphopenia is frequent, severe, and an independent predictor for survival in patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Department of Hematology Oncology, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
Ani
A
Balmanoukian
Xiaobu
X
Ye
Joseph
J
Herman
Daniel
D
Laheru
Stuart A
SA
Grossman
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D011832:Radiation Injuries; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects