Combination of sarcopenia and systemic inflammation-based markers for predicting the prognosis of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sarcopenia and inflammation on the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Eighty patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer between July 2010 and December 2023 were included in this study. The psoas muscle index was used to assess sarcopenia. The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio, prognostic nutritional index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were used to calculate the preoperative inflammatory marker levels. The prognostic factors for overall survival were determined using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia showed a significant association with advanced tumor stage. Univariate analysis revealed a significant reduction in overall survival in patients with a prognostic nutritional index of <45, C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio of ≥0.047, cancer antigen 19-9 levels of ≥130 U/mL, sarcopenia, lymph node metastasis, and vascular invasion. Multivariate analysis revealed that a C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio of ≥0.047 (hazards ratio, 3.383; 95% confidence interval: 1.384-8.689; p< 0.001), cancer antigen 19-9 levels of ≥130 U/mL (hazards ratio, 2.720; 95% confidence interval: 1.291-6.060; p = 0.008), sarcopenia (hazards ratio, 3.256; 95% confidence interval: 1.535-7.072; p = 0.002) and vascular invasion (hazards ratio, 2.092; 95% confidence interval: 1.057-4.170; p = 0.034) were independent predictors of overall survival. Overall survival in the sarcopenia and high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio groups was significantly poorer than that in the non-sarcopenia and low C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio and sarcopenia or high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio groups. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia and a high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio are independent prognostic factors in patients with pancreatic cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Thus, sarcopenia may have a better prognostic value when combined with the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio.

Preoperative Myosteatosis and Prognostic Nutritional Index Predict Survival in Older Patients With Resected Biliary Tract Cancer.

Background/Aim: Sarcopenia accompanied by systemic inflammation is associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancer. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of sarcopenia (myopenia and myosteatosis) and systemic inflammatory markers in older patients (aged ≥80 years) with resected biliary tract cancer. Patients and Methods: Patients who underwent resection for biliary tract cancer between July 2010 and January 2023 at the NHO Fukuyama Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative computed tomography measured myopenia and myosteatosis, using the psoas muscle index and modified intramuscular adipose tissue content. Associations between clinicopathological characteristics, inflammation-based prognostic scores, and overall survival were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Univariate analysis revealed low C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (<0.125), low prognostic nutritional index (<42), low modified intramuscular adipose tissue content, higher T-stage (T3-4), lymph node metastasis, and postoperative complications associated with worse overall survival in older patients (aged ≥ 80 years) with resected biliary tract cancer (n=48). Multivariate analysis identified low prognostic nutritional index (<42) (p=0.007), low modified intramuscular adipose tissue content (p=0.015), higher T-stage (T3-4) (p<0.001), lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), and postoperative complications (p=0.017) as independent predictors of overall survival. Conclusion: Preoperative myosteatosis and low prognostic nutritional index are independent prognostic factors for overall survival in older patients (aged ≥80 years) with resected biliary tract cancer. These factors may be useful for risk stratification and clinical decision-making. Early interventions, such as nutritional support and physical exercise, may improve outcomes after resection of biliary tract cancer.

Prognostic Significance of Sarcopenia and Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Biliary Tract Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of sarcopenia and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with surgically resected biliary tract cancer (BTC). METHODS: Between July 2010 and December 2022, 146 patients were recruited. Sarcopenia was assessed using the psoas muscle index. Preoperative inflammatory markers were used to calculate the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients had sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was associated with body mass index (< 22 kg/m2), lymph node metastasis, and low PNI (< 42). R1/R2 resection (P = 0.02), sarcopenia (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.007), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (P < 0.001), and low PNI (P = 0.01) were independent predictors of OS, while male sex (P = 0.04), R1/R2 resection (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.005), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (P < 0.001), tumor differentiation (other than well; P = 0.003), and low PNI (P = 0.03) were independent predictors of RFS. Patients were stratified into no sarcopenia and high PNI (≥ 42; A), sarcopenia or low PNI (B), and sarcopenia and low PNI (C) groups. Group C had worse OS than the other two groups (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is associated with the PNI. Sarcopenia and the PNI are independent prognostic factors among patients with resected BTC. Sarcopenia may have better prognostic value when combined with the PNI.

Predictive values of sarcopenia and systemic inflammation-based markers in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia accompanied by systemic inflammation is associated with poor prognosis in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effect of sarcopenia combined with systemic inflammation on the prognosis of patients with advanced HCC who underwent hepatectomy is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sarcopenia and inflammation on the prognosis of patients with advanced HCC. METHODS: This retrospective study included 151 patients recruited between July 2010 and December 2022. We defined advanced HCC as that presenting with vascular invasion or tumor size ≥2 cm or multiple tumors. Sarcopenia was assessed using the psoas muscle index. Preoperative inflammatory markers were used by calculating the prognostic nutritional index, albumin-globulin ratio (AGR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio. Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the prognostic factors for overall survival. RESULTS: Of 151 patients, sarcopenia occurred in 84 (55.6 %). Sarcopenia was significantly associated with male sex, older age, body mass index (<25 kg/m2), and a higher NLR. In the multivariate analysis, AGR <1.25 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.504; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.325-4.820; p < 0.05); alpha-fetoprotein levels ≥25 ng/mL (HR, 1.891; 95% CI: 1.016-3.480; p = 0.04); and sarcopenia (HR, 1.908; 95% CI: 1.009-3.776; p < 0.05) were independent predictors of overall survival. The sarcopenia and low AGR groups had significantly worse overall survival than either the non-sarcopenia and high AGR or sarcopenia and low AGR groups. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia and AGR are independent prognostic factors in patients with advanced HCC. Thus, sarcopenia may achieve a better prognostic value when combined with AGR.

Preoperative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio as a prognostic factor in biliary tract cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The preoperative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio is a novel inflammation-based prognostic marker in various cancers. However, its prognostic role in biliary tract cancer is unknown. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio in biliary tract cancer. METHODS: A systematic search of the literature for studies evaluating the prognostic value of C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio in patients undergoing surgery for biliary tract cancer was conducted, and a random effects meta-analysis of overall survival and recurrence-free survival was performed. RESULTS: Nine studies with 1292 participants were included. The preoperative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio negatively correlated with overall survival (hazard ratio, 2.44 [95% confidence interval: 1.98-2.90]; P < .001) and recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.73 [95% confidence interval: 2.01-3.70]; P < .001). Subgroup analysis showed that an elevated preoperative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio predicted poor overall survival, regardless of the cutoff value, sample size, histological type, and treatment. CONCLUSION: An elevated preoperative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients undergoing surgery for biliary tract cancer. The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio may be an independent prognostic biomarker for overall survival and recurrence-free survival in patients undergoing surgery for biliary tract cancer.

C-reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio Predicts Conversion from Laparoscopic to Open Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy, and to determine whether pre-operative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) can predict conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy, in patients with acute cholecystitis diagnosed according to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 231 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between January 2012 and March 2022. Two hundred and fifteen (93.1%) patients were included in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group; sixteen (6.9%) patients were included in the conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy group. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, significant predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy included the interval between symptom onset and surgery (>72 h), C-reactive protein (≥15.0 mg/l) and albumin (<3.5 mg/l) levels, pre-operative CAR (≥5.54), gallbladder wall thickness (≥5 mm), pericholecystic fluid collection, and pericholecystic fat hyperdensity. In multivariate analysis, elevated pre-operative CAR (≥5.54) and the interval between symptom onset and surgery (>72 h) were independent predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative CAR as a predictor of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy may be useful for pre-operative risk assessment and treatment planning.

Lymphocyte-to-C-Reactive Protein Ratio Predicts Prognosis in Patients With Colorectal Liver Metastases Post-hepatic Resection: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Preoperative systemic inflammation has been reported to predict survival in patients with various cancer types. In patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), the prognosis is poor despite therapeutic advances in the field. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of the lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein (CRP) ratio (LCR) in patients with CRLM after hepatic resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 104 patients who underwent hepatic resection for CRLM between October 2010 and 2021 at the National Hospital Organization Fukuyama Medical Center, Hiroshima, Japan. The association between clinicopathological variables, including various inflammatory biomarkers [LCR, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP-to-albumin ratio (CAR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI)], and overall survival of the patients was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off values for each biomarker by receiver-operating characteristic analysis were as follows: LCR: 12,720; PLR: 150; NLR: 4; CAR: 0.023; and PNI: 44.8. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 97.0%, 71.3%, and 56.8%, respectively. On univariate analysis, LCR<12, 720, PLR<0.14, body mass index <24 kg/m2, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 ≥37 U/ml, multiple tumours, and largest hepatic tumour ≥5 cm were significant factors predictive of poorer survival. The multivariate analysis revealed that LCR<12, 720 (hazard ratio=2.156, 95% confidence interval=1.060-4.509, p=0.034) and multiple tumours (HR=2.336, 95% CI=1.125-4.925, p=0.023) were independent predictors of poor overall survival. CONCLUSION: LCR may be an independent prognostic predictor in patients after hepatic resection for CRLM. Therefore, the assessment of LCR as a biomarker may help in treatment planning.

Preoperative lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein ratio predicts hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after surgery.

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the prognostic value of lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Between July 2010 and October 2021, 173 consecutive patients (144 male, 29 female) who underwent surgical resection for pathologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma were included in this retrospective study. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between clinicopathological characteristics and recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The patients (mean age, 71 years) were stratified into high (≥9,500, n = 108) and low (<9,500, n = 65) lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio groups. The low lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio group had significantly worse RFS and OS. Low lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio (hazard ratio [HR], 1.865; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.176-2.960; P = 0.008), multiple tumors (HR, 3.333; 95% CI, 2.042-5.343; P < 0.001), and microvascular invasion (HR, 1.934; 95% CI, 1.178-3.184; P = 0.009) were independently associated with RFS, whereas low albumin-to-globulin ratio (HR, 2.270; 95% CI, 1.074-4.868; P = 0.032), α-FP of ≥25 ng/mL (HR, 2.187; 95% CI, 1.115-4.259; P = 0.023), and poor tumor differentiation (HR, 2.781; 95% CI, 1.041-6.692; P = 0.042) were independently associated with OS. Lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio had a higher area under the curve (0.635) than other inflammation-based markers (0.51-0.63). Conclusion: Lymphocyte-to-CRP ratio is superior to other inflammation-based markers as a predictor of RFS in patients with surgically resected hepatocellular carcinoma.

C-reactive protein to albumin ratio predicts difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis diagnosed according to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018.

INTRODUCTION: Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) may increase the risk of complications and extend the duration of hospitalization. The aims of this study were to evaluate the predictive value of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) for DLC in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) diagnosed according to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 and to develop a preoperative predictive model for DLC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 205 patients who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy for AC between January 2012 and December 2020. We defined DLC cases as having one of the following factors: blood loss ≥50 mL, operative time ≥150 minutes, or conversion to open surgery. We classified the remaining cases into the non-DLC group. RESULTS: Overall, 127 (62.0%) and 78 (38.0%) patients were grouped into the DLC and non-DLC groups, respectively. Patients in the DLC group had: higher severity grade, which was assessed using the Tokyo Guidelines 2018; higher incidence of postoperative complications; and more hospitalization days than those in the non-DLC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that male, CAR (≥3.20), and pericholecystic fat hyperdensity on computed tomography (CT) were independent predictors of DLC. We developed a predictive scoring system for DLC based on these three factors (cutoff value, 2.0; area under the curve, 0.75; sensitivity, 71.7%; and specificity, 70.5%). CONCLUSION: CAR could predict DLC independently in AC patients. We identified male gender, CAR, and pericholecystic fat hyperdensity on CT as predictive factors for DLC and established a preoperative prediction system based on these three factors.

A combined prediction model for biliary tract cancer using the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic nutritional index, a marker of nutritional status and systemic inflammation, is a known biomarker for various cancers. However, few studies have evaluated the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index in patients with biliary tract cancer. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic significance of the prognostic nutritional index, and developed a risk-stratification system to identify prognostic factors in patients with biliary tract cancer. METHODS: Between July 2010 and March 2021, 117 patients with biliary tract cancer were recruited to this single-center, retrospective study. The relationship between clinicopathological variables, including the prognostic nutritional index, and overall survival was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The median age was 75 (range 38-92) years. Thirty patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; 29, gallbladder carcinoma; 27, distal cholangiocarcinoma; 17, ampullary carcinoma; and 13, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Curative (R0) resection was achieved in 99 patients. In univariate analysis, the prognostic nutritional index (< 42), lymph node metastasis, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level (> 20 U/mL), preoperative cholangitis, tumor differentiation, operation time (≥ 360 min), and R1-2 resection were significant risk factors for overall survival. The prognostic nutritional index (P = 0.027), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.040), and tumor differentiation (P = 0.006) were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis. A combined score of the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings outperformed each marker alone, in terms of discriminatory power. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic nutritional index, lymph node metastasis, and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors after surgical resection in patients with biliary tract cancer. A combined prediction model using the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings accurately predicted prognosis, and can be used as a novel prognostic factor in patients with biliary tract cancer.

Preoperative Albumin-to-Globulin Ratio Predicts Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Cohort Study Including Non-Hepatitis Virus-Infected Patients.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the prognostic significance of the preoperative albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with various liver etiologies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 157 patients with HCC between July 2010 and February 2021. The relationship between clinicopathological variables was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean overall survival (OS) was 24.5 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 90.4%, 81.2%, and 68.7%, respectively. Patients were classified into 2 groups: AGR <1.16 (low-AGR group; n = 43) and AGR ≥1.16 (high-AGR group; n = 114). In univariate analysis, OS was significantly reduced in patients with a low AGR (AGR <1.16), an alpha-fetoprotein level ≥25 ng/mL, a tumor size ≥3.5 cm, microvascular invasion, and poor tumor differentiation. In multivariate analysis, a low AGR (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) (2.394 [1.092-5.213]; p = 0.030) and microvascular invasion (2.268 [1.019-5.169]; p = 0.045) were independent predictors of OS. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: A low AGR was significantly associated with poor OS in patients with HCC, regardless of liver etiology. This may assist in treatment stratification and better management of patients with HCC.

Comparison of Inflammation-based Prognostic Scores in Patients With Biliary Tract Cancer After Surgical Resection.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Inflammation-based prognostic scores are proven prognostic biomarkers in various cancers. This study aimed to identify a useful prognostic score for patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) after surgical resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study recruited 115 patients with BTC during 2010-2020. The relationship between clinicopathological variables, including various prognostic scores and overall survival (OS), was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: BTC included 58 cholangiocarcinoma, 29 gallbladder carcinoma, 16 ampullary carcinoma, and 12 perihilar cholangiocarcinoma cases. A significant difference was detected in OS of patients with a Japanese modified Glasgow prognostic score (JmGPS) 0 (n=62) and JmGPS 1 or 2 (high JmGPS) (n=53). In the multivariate analysis, tumour differentiation (p=0.014) and a high JmGPS (p=0.047) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The high JmGPS was an independent prognostic predictor after surgical resection and was superior to other prognostic scores.

[Radiofrequency ablation therapy combined with hepatectomy for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer].

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy combined with hepatectomy was performed in 5 patients with synchronous liver metastases of colorectal cancer. RFA of liver metastases was performed using a Cool-tip electrode (Radionics; Burlington, MA, USA). The ablation time used in each session varied according to the tumor size and intraoperative impedance. In 2 patients, hepatectomy and resection of the colorectal primary lesion were performed synchronously. In patients with multiple liver metastases, relative curative resection was performed using the complementary RFA. In the other 3 patients, synchronous hepatectomy was considered difficult and systematic chemotherapy was performed after resection of the colorectal primary lesion. After systematic chemotherapy, the range of hepatectomy was restricted for liver injury, but relative curative resection was performed using RFA therapy. Computed tomography performed after hepatectomy showed that the region that underwent RFA appeared necrotic with a safety margin. The average observation period was 25 months (maximal survival period, 50 months) and 3 of the patients are alive.