Inflammatory indices as prognostic markers in metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with chemotherapy plus Bevacizumab

Background: Validated predictors of sensitivity or resistance to Bevacizumab (Bev) are not available, and Inflammatory Indexes (IIs) has been reported to be useful prognostic factors in various malignant solid tumours, including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Objectives: To explore the prognostic value of IIs in mCRC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy plus Bev. Design: One hundred and eighty-two patients diagnosed with mCRC and treated with first line chemotherapy plus Bev were considered for this prospective non-pharmacological study. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tests were carried out at baseline and before each treatment cycle, according to clinical practice. Methods: Pre-treatment Systemic Immune-inflammation Index (SII), Colon Inflammatory Index (CII) and Aspartate aminotransferase-Lymphocyte Ratio Index (ALRI) were evaluated to assess a correlation with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: In the overall population, PFS and OS were lower in patients with high SII (HR 1.64, p = 0.006 and HR 1.75, p = 0.004, respectively) and high ALRI (HR 2.13, p = 0.001 and HR 1.76, p = 0.02, respectively), but no difference was detected according to CII value. The multivariate analysis confirmed both SII and ALRI as independent prognostic factors for PFS (HR 1.64 and 2.82, respectively) and OS (HR 1.65 and 2.12, respectively). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate and confirm that IIs, and in particular SII and ALRI, are easy to measure prognostic markers for patient candidates to first line chemotherapy plus Bev for mCRC.