Simple parameters to solve a complex issue: predicting response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy in lung cancer
James Newman1, Isabel Preeshagul2, Nina Kohn3
1Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Medical Oncology, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA.
Background:
Noninvasive biomarkers predicting immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response are urgently needed. We evaluated the predictive value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), smoking history, smoking intensity, BMI and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with ICIs.
Materials & Methods:
Single-center retrospective study included 137 patients from July 2015 to February 2018. Outcomes included 3-month disease control rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Predictive value of biomarkers was assessed independently and in a multivariable model.
Results:
NLR was associated with all outcomes. Smoking history was predictive of progression-free survival and smoking intensity was predictive of disease control rate. BMI and PD-L1 were not associated with any outcome. High BMI was associated with low NLR.
Conclusion:
Simple clinical biomarkers can predict response to ICIs. A score incorporating both clinical factors and established tissue/serum biomarkers may be useful in identifying NSCLC patients who would benefit from ICIs.
