Monocyte/Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Outcomes in DLBCL

the Cancer Therapy Advisor take:

Absolute lymphocyte count to absolute monocyte count ratio (ALC/AMC) may be have prognostic utility in patients with relapsed or primary refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), new data suggest. In a recent retrospective study published in BMC Cancer, researchers analyzed 163 patients with relapsed or primary DLBCL by measuring overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) at time of first of relapse. They included factors from the International Prognostic Index, early relapse, prior rituximab exposure and autologous stem-cell transplantation in their univariate and multivariate analyses. Results indicated that ALC/AMC ratio at the time of first relapse was an independent predictor of OS (P<0.001) and PFS (P<0.001). For those with an ALC/AMC ratio less than 2.0, overall response rates were lower. One-year PFS and 2-year OS was also lower when compared with those with an ALC/AMC ratio of at least 2.0. Additionally, when superimposed on the International Prognostic Index at relapse, ALC/AMC ratio discriminates between those with favorable outcomes and those with adverse outcomes. Despite these data, the researchers noted that the small number of patients included in the analysis prevents drawing firm conclusions until they are replicated in an independent cohort of patients in a prospective study. However, the results suggest promise for using ALC/AMC ratio as a simple prognostic tool in patients with relapsed or primary refractory DLBCL, they wrote.