Can the Prognosis of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma be Predicted by a Simple CBC Count?

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to develop a new prognostic model using the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and defined prognostic indexes to improve the results in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: The data of 340 newly diagnosed patients with DLBCL, who underwent at least two cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP), were evaluated retrospectively. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the NLR cut-off value. The NLR cut-off value was 4.76. In the study, a total of 231 patients (67.9%) were in the low NLR ≤4.76 group, while 109 patients (32.1%) were in the high NLR (NLR >4.76) group. Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 37.1%, and 78.9% in the high NLR group, and low NLR group, respectively. A high pre-treatment NLR was associated with a worse OS and progression-free survival (PFS) (both p