Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a prognosis biomarker of PRRT in NET patients

Purpose Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) with 177Lu-DOTATATE is a palliative therapeutic option for advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs). Prognostic factors can predict long-term outcomes and determine response to therapy. Among those already explored, biomarkers from full blood count, including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has shown value for other solid tumors and for NETs patients submitted to other forms of therapy. However, its relation to PRRT response and patients’ prognosis is still to be determined. Methods Medical records from 96 patients submitted to PRRT between 2010 and 2017 were reviewed, median NLR and PLR were calculated from baseline flood blood count and dichotomized as high or low. Progression-free survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were calculated. Results NLR and PLR median values were 1.8 and 123, respectively. Patients with low NLR had a significantly longer OS (estimated median of 77.5 months, 95% CI: 27.3–127.7) when compared to patients with high NLR (estimated median of 47.7 months, 95% CI: 34.7–60.8); p = 0.04. Patients with low NLR had a trend toward a longer median PFS when compared to patients with high NLR [estimated medians of 77 months (95% CI: 27.3–127.7), and 47.7 months, (95% CI: 34.7–60.7)], respectively, p = 0.08. Conclusion Patients with advanced-stage NET with NLR higher than 1.8 have worse long term clinical outcomes after PPRT. Larger studies are needed to validate the optimal cutoff for this biomarker.