title: A laboratory prognostic index model for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to establish a laboratory prognostic index (LPI) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients based on hematologic and biochemical parameters and to analyze the predictive value of LPI on NSCLC survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study retrospectively reviewed 462 patients with advanced NSCLC diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 in a single institution. We developed an LPI that included serum levels of white blood cells (WBC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, calcium, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), based on the results of a Cox regression analysis. The patients were classified into 3 LPI groups as follows: LPI 0: normal; LPI 1: one abnormal laboratory finding; and LPI 2: at least 2 abnormal laboratory findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow up period was 44 months; the median overall survival (OS) and median progression-free survival (PFS) were 11 and 6 months, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed that the following could be used as independent prognostic factors: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score (ECOG PS) ≥2, a high LDH level, serum albumin <3 g/dL, serum calcium>10.5 g/dL, number of metastases>2, presence of liver metastases, malignant pleural effusion, or receiving chemotherapy ≥4 cycles. The 1-year OS rates according to LPI 0, LPI 1, and LPI 2 were 54%, 34%, and 17% (p<0.001), respectively and 6-month PFS rates were 44%, 27%, and 15% (p<0.001), respectively. The LPI was a significant predictor for OS (Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.41; 1.05-1.88, p<0.001) and PFS (HR: 1.48; 1.14-1.93, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An LPI is an inexpensive, easily accessible and independent prognostic index for advanced NSCLC and may be helpful in making individualized treatment plans and predicting survival rates when combined with clinical parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Arife
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ulas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara Oncology Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma Paksoy
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Turkoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kamile
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Silay
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara Oncology Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Saadet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tokluoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Balıkesir Government Hospital, Balıkesir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilufer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Avci
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara Oncology Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oksuzoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Ankara Oncology Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Necati
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alkis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012709:Serum Albumin; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase