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Prognostic value of inflammation- and nutrition-based biomarkers in patients with recurrent or metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A retrospective study

  • 0Department of Oral Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan.
Oncology Letters +

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September 17, 2025

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September 17, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Post-treatment inflammation and nutrition biomarkers, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), predict outcomes for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). These markers offer superior prognostic value compared to pre-treatment assessments.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Biomarker Research

Background

  • Prognostic value of inflammation- and nutrition-based biomarkers in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unclear.
  • Recurrent or metastatic OSCC (R/M-OSCC) patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy require better prognostic tools.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate the prognostic significance of inflammation- and nutrition-based biomarkers in R/M-OSCC patients treated with ICIs.
  • To compare the prognostic value of pre-treatment versus post-treatment biomarkers.

Main Methods

  • Retrospective analysis of 45 R/M-OSCC patients treated with ICIs.
  • Collection of clinical data and calculation of inflammation-based prognostic scores (IBPSs) pre- and post-ICI treatment.
  • Survival analysis (overall survival and progression-free survival) and disease control rate assessment.

Main Results

  • Post-treatment biomarkers showed superior prognostic value over pre-treatment ones.
  • Male sex and lower BMI were associated with poorer overall survival (OS).
  • Post-treatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) significantly predicted OS and progression-free survival (PFS).
  • Several post-treatment IBPS markers were significantly associated with disease control rate.

Conclusions

  • Post-treatment inflammation- and nutrition-based biomarkers can identify R/M-OSCC patients likely to benefit from ICIs.
  • These biomarkers support the development of individualized treatment strategies for OSCC patients undergoing ICI therapy.

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