Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39931836›Full record

ArticleCancer medicine2025

Elevated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Correlates With Liver Metastases and Poor Immunotherapy Response in Stage IV Melanoma.

Yannick Foerster, Kristine Mayer, Sophia Wasserer, Marta Dechant, Vitalina Verkhoturova, Sarah Heyer, Tilo Biedermann, Oana-Diana Persa

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Prognostic value of TMTV and Dmax calculated fromEuropean journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · 2026
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yannick FoersterDepartment of Dermatology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, München, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5383-2263
Kristine MayerDepartment of Dermatology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, München, Germany.
Sophia WassererDepartment of Dermatology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, München, Germany.
Marta DechantDepartment of Dermatology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, München, Germany.
Vitalina VerkhoturovaDepartment of Dermatology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, München, Germany.
Sarah HeyerDepartment of Dermatology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, München, Germany.
Tilo BiedermannDepartment of Dermatology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, München, Germany.
Oana-Diana PersaDepartment of Dermatology, TUM School of Medicine and Health, München, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

objectivesImmune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) has revolutionized treatment for metastasized melanoma, but many patients remain unresponsive. Concerning potential adverse events, reliable biomarkers to predict ICI response are needed. In this context, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and derived NLR (dNLR) have emerged. Liver metastases also limit ICI efficacy, correlating with diminished overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and may siphon activated T cells from the systemic circulation, creating an 'immune desert state'. We evaluated the predictive role of NLR and dNLR for ICI response and the impact of liver metastases on systemic immunity and treatment efficacy. PATIENTS AND

methodsIn this single-center retrospective study, we included 141 stage IV melanoma patients undergoing ICI. NLR and dNLR were calculated from absolute neutrophil count, absolute lymphocyte count, and white blood cell count.

resultsElevated NLR and dNLR were associated with poor response to ICI and inferior PFS. Patients with liver metastases exhibited higher NLR and dNLR levels and showed diminished response to ICI.

conclusionsElevated baseline NLR and dNLR predict poor response to ICI and PFS in stage IV melanoma. Liver metastases are negative predictors for ICI response, with associated higher NLR and dNLR levels potentially contributing to therapy resistance.

Indexed as

Immune Checkpoint InhibitorsLiver NeoplasmsLymphocytesMelanomaNeutrophilsSkin NeoplasmsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansImmunotherapyLeukocyte CountLymphocyte CountMaleMiddle AgedImmune Checkpoint Inhibitorscheckpointimmunotherapyliver metastasismelanomaneutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratioNLR

Identifiers

PMID39931836
PMCPMC11811709

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.