title: The Prognostic Role of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Chemoradiotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study is to investigate the prognostic role of pre-treatment of markers of the systemic inflammatory response (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and albumin) in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 251 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy between 2004 and 2010 were retrospectively identified. NLR, PLR, and albumin were recorded from baseline blood parameters. NLR threshold of >5 and PLR thresholds of ≤150, >150 and ≤300, and >300 were used for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median follow-up was 46 months (range 9-98). The 3 year overall survival, local control, regional control, and distant control were 70%, 85%, 87%, and 87%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, locoregional control was associated with T stage (HR 3.3 (95% CI 1.5-6.9), P = 0.002) and NLR (HR 2.1 (95% CI 1.1-3.9), P = 0.023). Overall survival was associated with T stage (HR 2.47 (95% CI 1.45-4.2), P = 0.001) and grade (HR 0.61 (95% CI 0.38-0.99), P = 0.048). PLR and albumin were not significantly associated with disease outcomes or survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NLR is an independent prognostic factor for locoregional control in oropharyngeal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy.
authors: Department of Clinical Oncology, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK.
authors: Caroline A
authors: CA
authors: Young
authors: Department of Clinical Oncology, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK.
authors: Louise J
authors: LJ
authors: Murray
authors: Department of Clinical Oncology, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK.
authors: Ebru
authors: E
authors: Karakaya
authors: Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, Leeds, UK.
authors: Helene H
authors: HH
authors: Thygesen
authors: Department of Clinical Oncology, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Sen
authors: Department of Clinical Oncology, St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK.
authors: Robin J D
authors: RJ
authors: Prestwich
keywords: chemotherapy; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; oropharynx cancer; radiotherapy; squamous cell cancer