ArticleTranslational cancer research2026
Baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic biomarker in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Article in Translational cancer research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved outcomes for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet the ability to predict which patients will benefit remains limited. Inflammation-based markers such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may aid in identifying high-risk individuals. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of baseline NLR for survival outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with ICIs. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the prognostic significance of baseline NLR in advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICIs. Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were searched for relevant cohort studies. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I Results: Twenty-three studies encompassing a total of 4,138 patients were included. A high baseline NLR was significantly associated with inferior survival outcomes, including poorer PFS (HR =1.91; 95% CI: 1.76-2.08; I Conclusions: Elevated baseline NLR is an independent predictor of unfavorable survival in advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs. Given its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, NLR may serve as a valuable biomarker for risk stratification and personalized treatment planning in clinical practice.
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