Triglyceride-inflammation score established on account of random survival forest for predicting survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study

Jun Li ^1,2, Yinxin Ye ^1,2, Yonglin Cai ²

⁰Department of Clinical Laboratory, Wuzhou Red Cross Hospital, Wuzhou, Guangxi, China.

Frontiers in Immunology +

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May 13, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

A new triglyceride-inflammation (TI) score effectively predicts overall survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. This convenient and economical prognostic tool aids in assessing patient outcomes and understanding disease progression.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Biomarkers
Immunology

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prognosis requires improved predictive models.
Triglyceride and inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio) are potential prognostic indicators.

Purpose Of The Study

To develop and validate a prognostic model for overall survival (OS) in NPC patients using triglyceride and inflammatory markers.
To explore the interactions and mediation effects of these biomarkers on OS in NPC.

Main Methods

Retrospective analysis of 259 NPC patients' pre-treatment blood markers.
Development of a triglyceride-inflammation (TI) score using the random survival forest (RSF) algorithm.
Validation of the TI score using concordance index (C-index), ROC curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).
Bioinformatics analysis to investigate triglyceride metabolism and immune cell infiltration.

Main Results

The TI score demonstrated excellent performance in predicting OS (C-index 0.808 in the entire cohort).
TI score, NLR, and PLR were significantly lower in earlier stages (T1-T2, M0) compared to advanced stages (T3-T4, M1).
A nomogram integrating TI score, age, sex, and clinical stage showed good predictive ability.
Significant interactions were observed between triglyceride and NLR/platelets; triglyceride did not mediate inflammatory marker effects.

Conclusions

The triglyceride-inflammation (TI) score is a promising, convenient, and cost-effective prognostic factor for NPC patients.
The interaction between triglyceride and NLR suggests a role for triglyceride metabolism in modulating immune responses in NPC.

Keywords:

inflammation lipid nasopharyngeal carcinoma nomogram prognosis triglyceride