[Serum lactate dehydrogenase and CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte ratio predict survival in terminally ill cancer patients]

Accurate estimation of survival is important for effective palliative medicine of patients with cancer. In most clinical practice, however, the life expectancy has been predicted based on subjective evaluations. The purpose of this study was to find objective biological markers that can contribute to accurate prediction of survival in terminally ill cancer patients. Consecutive terminally ill cancer patients admitted to the Palliative Care Center in Tohoku University hospital from January to May 2001 were approached for this study. Forty-eight blood samples were obtained from 25 patients who provided a written informed consent. Common serum enzyme markers were determined using standard hospital laboratory methods. Cellular immunity status was evaluated by peripheral blood lymphocyte-subset analysis using flow cytometry. Mean patient survival was 33.5 +/- 21.6 (1-80) days. Multiple regression analysis revealed that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly associated with survival (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001). Further prospective studies are warranted to validate the usefulness of these determinants for accurate prediction of survival.