Inflammatory burden index for the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer: a review

Article: The inflammatory burden index is a superior systemic inflammation biomarker for the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer

There is an urgent need to find predictive biomarkers for the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer for survival assessment. Tumour-related factors, such as the pathological stage or histological subtype, are used widely but often vary in patient outcome. Hence, haematological inflammatory parameters, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets have been used to reflect the inflammation found in cancer. These biomarkers demonstrate prognostic value in cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer. However, it remains unclear which specific combination of biomarkers may help in assessing prognosis, so this study used the newly developed inflammatory burden index. It was found to be associated with survival, 90-day outcomes, length of hospitalisation and cachexia in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Hence, this may be an advantageous tool for prognosis prediction.

This review by Xie H et al. aimed to compare the prognostic value of inflammation biomarkers in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Key learnings

Understanding the vital biomarkers behind non-small cell lung cancer can help with accurate prognosis for such patients. Currently, the inflammatory burden index holds great promise in accurately and efficiently assessing this prognosis.

Reviewed by: Z. Beketova

Authors: Xie H, Ruan G, Wei L, et al.

Published in: Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2023