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Exploratory evaluation of CA 15-3 × NLR score for predicting pathologic complete response in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy

  • 0Department of Medical Oncology, Manisa Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey. drbihtereniseler@gmail.com.
Clinical & Translational Oncology : Official Publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico +

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August 17, 2025

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August 17, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The CA 15-3 × neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) score shows modest potential for predicting treatment response in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Further validation is required before widespread clinical use.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Biomarker Research
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background

  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is a standard treatment for invasive breast cancer.
  • Accurate prediction of treatment response is crucial for optimizing patient management.
  • Novel biomarkers are needed to enhance prediction of pathologic complete response (pCR).

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate the predictive value of the combined CA 15-3 × neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) score for estimating pCR in breast cancer patients receiving NACT.
  • To determine the optimal cutoff value for the CA 15-3 × NLR score in predicting pCR.

Main Methods

  • Retrospective analysis of 330 invasive breast cancer patients treated with NACT.
  • Calculation of the CA 15-3 × NLR score using pre-treatment serum CA 15-3 levels and NLR.
  • Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses to assess predictive performance and identify optimal cutoff.

Main Results

  • pCR was achieved in 42.4% of patients.
  • A lower median CA 15-3 × NLR score was associated with pCR (21 vs. 24; p=0.033).
  • The score ≤ 32.7 was an independent predictor of pCR (OR 1.931; p=0.025), alongside N stage and absence of perineural invasion.

Conclusions

  • The CA 15-3 × NLR score offers modest prognostic potential for predicting NACT response in breast cancer.
  • The findings suggest a potential role for this composite biomarker, but require cautious interpretation.
  • Further research and validation are necessary for clinical application of the CA 15-3 × NLR score.

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