Predictive value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and platelet to lymphocyte ratio in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with anti–PD‐1 therapy

Background Currently, there are no recognized or validated biomarkers to identify hepatocellular carcinoma patients (HCC) likely to benefit from anti–PD‐1 therapy. We evaluated the relationship between neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and survival outcomes, pretreatment and after three doses (posttreatment) of nivolumab in HCC patients. Methods Medical records of HCC patients treated with nivolumab between June 2016 and July 2018 were reviewed. Kaplan‐Meier analysis and the log‐rank test were used to calculate and compare overall survival between NLR
In this study evaluating 103 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, lower neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were both strongly predictive of improved survival after three cycles of nivolumab. Baseline NLR was not associated with survival. An elevated NLR and PLR in the posttreatment setting may be an early sign of treatment failure and may warrant consideration for early change in therapy.