title: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio: a narrative review.
abstract: Cellular-mediated inflammatory response, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes are increasingly being recognised as having an important role in tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis. In this context, studies have suggested that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as an independent prognostic factor in a variety of cancers. Particularly in breast cancer, several studies have shown that a high NLR is associated with shorter survival. Because the NLR can be easily determined from the full blood count, it could potentially provide a simple and inexpensive test cancer prognosis. This review addresses the possibilities and limitations of using the NLR as a clinical tool for risk stratification helpful for individual treatment of breast cancer patients. The potential underlying phenomena and some perspectives are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Mastology Program, Federal University of Uberlandia (UFU), Avenida Engenheiro Diniz 1178, Reitoria 3º Andar Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sara Socorro
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, AC Camargo Cancer Center, R Professor Antônio Prudente, 211, Liberdade, São Paulo 01509, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo César
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, AC Camargo Cancer Center, R Professor Antônio Prudente, 211, Liberdade, São Paulo 01509, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo José Barbosa
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, AC Camargo Cancer Center, R Professor Antônio Prudente, 211, Liberdade, São Paulo 01509, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vladmir C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry of Protein Chemistry (Proteomics Research), University of Brasilia (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro S/N (Asa Norte) 70910-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wagner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fontes
authors.affiliation: Mastology Program, Federal University of Goias (UFG), Rodovia Goiania Nerópolis Km 12, Prédio da Reitoria, 74001-970, Goiania/GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ruffo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freitas-Junior
authors.affiliation: Department of Systems Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Agda Karina
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Eterovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forget
keywords: breast cancer; inflammation; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; prognosis