부산대학교 도서관

Simple Summary: Inflammation-based scores reflect the intricate crosstalk between the tumor and the immune system, hosted in the tumor stromal microenvironment. In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), these scores have shown promise in predicting recurrence, disease progression, and overall survival, as well as in forecasting the response to locoregional therapies. However, the specific predictive role of these inflammation-based scores in patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing TACE remains an area that requires further investigation. Early recognition of TACE refractoriness or failure holds the potential to guide tailored therapeutic interventions. Our research endeavors to fill a critical void in the existing literature by presenting, for the first time, data sourced from an international, multicenter study, involving Western institutions, thereby furnishing valuable insights applicable to this specific population. Our study demonstrates the prognostic value of inflammation-based scores, particularly Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR), in predicting the treatment response and short-term outcomes of patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing TACE. Background: The utilization of inflammation-based scores, such as the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio (LMR), and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), has garnered attention for their potential as prognostic indicators in various cancers. However, their predictive role in patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains an area that requires further investigation, as early recognition of TACE refractoriness holds the potential to guide tailored therapeutic interventions. Methods: This multicenter international retrospective study analyzed data from patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing TACE between 2018 and 2024. Inflammation-based scores (NLR, LMR, PLR) were assessed preoperatively to predict treatment outcomes. Results: Two hundred and fourteen patients were enrolled. Preoperative LMR showed the largest area under the curve for the prediction of 6-months PFS, based on the ROC curve analysis. Both high LMR (≥2.24) and low NLR (<4.72) were associated with improved objective response rates and 6-month progression-free survival. Lymphocyte count emerged as a strong predictor of treatment response in both simple (p < 0.001) and multiple (p < 0.001) logistic regression analyses. Conclusions: This study highlights the prognostic value of inflammation-based scores, particularly LMR and NLR, in predicting the treatment response and short-term outcomes of patients with intermediate-stage HCC undergoing TACE. Future investigations should focus on validating these scores' clinical applicability and assessing their impact on long-term patient survival and therapeutic decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]