Prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients: an updated dose-response meta-analysis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Neutrophil Isolation and Analysis to Determine their Role in Lymphoma Cell Sensitivity to Therapeutic Agents
Published on: March 25, 2016
Shidai Mu1, Lisha Ai1, Fengjuan Fan1
11Institute of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022 China.
Background:
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a biomarker for systematic inflammation, has been recently identified as a prognostic factor for various types of both solid and hematologic malignancies. Here we conducted an updated dose-response meta-analysis to investigate whether NLR can be served as a prognostic biomarker in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
Methods:
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science and CNKI for relevant studies. Odds ratios or hazards ratios (HRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to estimate the association between NLR and clinicopathological parameters or survival of cancer patients.
Results:
Eleven trials with 2515 DLBCL patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that elevated pretreatment NLR was significantly associated with elder age, advanced Ann Arbor stage, higher incidence rate of B symptoms and bone marrow involvement, and higher lactate dehydrogenase level, etc. Moreover, increased NLR also predicted poorer overall survival (HR 1.826, 95% CI 1.238-2.692) and progression-free survival/event-free survival (PFS/EFS) (HR 1.591, 95% CI 1.124-2.252). And two-stage dose-response meta-analysis revealed non-linear association between increased NLR and risk of mortality in DLBCL patients.
Conclusion:
DLBCL patients with higher NLR are more likely to have poorer prognosis than those with lower NLR.
More Related Videos
09:02Immunoglobulin Gene Sequence Analysis In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: From Patient Material To Sequence Interpretation
Published on: November 26, 2018
05:16Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure
Published on: June 10, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
Dose-Response Relationship: Overview
Dose-Response Relationship: Potency and Efficacy
Dose-Response Relationship: Selectivity and Specificity
Diffusion