Prognostic Value of Lactate Dehydrogenase in Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients with Immunotherapy

Background The overall efficacy of immunotherapy is unsatisfactory in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) , since only a few cases could obtain benefits from the therapy. Therefore, it is of great importance to select effective prognostic indicators. Objective To investigate the prognostic value of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in advanced ESCC patients with immunotherapy. Methods This study enrolled patients diagnosed with advanced ESCC by pathological and imaging examinations in Henan Cancer Hospital from October 2016 to October 2019. Data were collected, including baseline data obtained from the electronic medical record system, LDH level at the 8th week of immunotherapy, and results〔containing death, disease remission, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) 〕 of a follow-up until August 31, 2021. Log-rank test was used to compare Kaplan-Meier curves of PFS and OS by baseline LDH. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the potential factors as