title: The prognostic value of the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in renal oncology: A review.
abstract: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a biological marker of inflammation with a significant prognostic value in the field of oncology.
  
  
  
  In this review, we discuss the prognostic value of the NLR in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
  
  
  
  We conducted a literature review of the PubMed database in August 2016. Initial research identified 31 publications. Following full-text screening, 15 studies were finally included: 7 studies concerning metastatic or locally advanced renal cancer, 6 studies dealing with localized renal cancer, 2 articles evaluating the NLR in renal cancer whatever the status of the disease (metastatic or localized).
  
  
  
  For localized RCC, an NLR o 3 was predictive of a reduced risk of recurrence (hazard ratio ¼ 1.63 [1.15, 2.29]). The prognostic value of the NLR was stronger for metastatic or locally advanced RCC. An NLR o 3 predicted increased overall survival (hazard ratio ¼ 1.55 [1.36, 1.76]), progression-free survivals (hazard ratio ¼ 3.19 [2.23, 4.57]), and a response to systemic treatment.
  
  
  
  In current practice, the NLR is a simple and inexpensive prognostic factor with potential improvement in the prognostic performance of nomograms used in renal oncology.
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, APHM, Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France. Electronic address: Romain.Boissier@ap-hm.fr.
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boissier
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, APHM, Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campagna
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Department of Urology, APHM, North University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Branger
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, APHM, Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Karsenty
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, APHM, Conception University Hospital, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lechevallier
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Inflammation; Kidney neoplasms; Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio; Nomograms; Prognosis