Prognostic value of lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio in patients with liver cancer: a meta-analysis

Background: The impact of lymphocyte-C-reactive protein ratio (LCR) on clinical outcomes has been reported in liver cancer such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), but the results remain inconsistent. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies evaluating the association of LCR with survival outcomes and clinicopathological parameters. Results: Eight studies with 4316 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Low LCR was significantly associated with poor overall survival, disease-free survival/relapse-free survival and disease progression clinicopathological parameters in patients with HCC or ICC. Conclusion: Low pretreatment LCR was an adverse prognostic indicator in patients with HCC or ICC. In addition, it was correlated with clinicopathological parameters indicating a higher stage of malignancy.