Objective: We analyzed the predictive value of dynamic changes in neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
Study design: A total of 104 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICIs during August 2018 to June 2023 were included. Dynamic changes were defined as the difference between NLR and PLR on day 1 of cycles 1 and 2.
Results: Patients with increased NLR or PLR had an independently increased risk of disease progression at the first response evaluation (odds ratio [OR] 5.26, P = .005; OR 2.29, P = .042), disease progression (hazard ratio [HR] 2.29, P = .003; HR 1.68, P = .027), and death (HR 1.86, P = .027; HR 1.68, P = .037). Furthermore, patients with a decrease in NLR showed longer progression-free survival, with HRs of 0.36 (P < .001) for those with low pre-ICI NLR and 0.52 (P = .041) for those with high pre-ICI NLR, compared to those with increased NLR.
Conclusions: Increased NLR or PLR was associated with adverse outcomes after ICI treatment in patients with R/M HNSCC.
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