Prognostic value of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio in ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Jun;98(24):e15876. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015876.

Abstract

Background: Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) was recently proposed as a prognostic factor of ovarian cancer. However, prognostic value of the LMR in ovarian cancer remains inconclusive. The study aimed to assess prognostic value of the LMR in ovarian cancer.

Methods: Seven common databases were comprehensively searched for relevant studies. The analyses were performed for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and clinical parameters. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to analyze OS and PFS.

Results: A total of 2343 patients with ovarian cancer were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that a low LMR predicted shorter OS (HR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.38-2.37, P < .01) and PFS (HR = 1.65 95% CI = 1.46-1.85, P < .01) when compared to a high LMR in ovarian cancer. Besides, a low LMR was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage (P < .01), earlier lymph node metastasis (P = .01), higher carbohydrate antigen-125 levels (P < .01), larger residual tumor (P < .01) and worse chemosensitivity (P < .01) when compared to a high LMR in ovarian cancer.

Conclusion: Low LMR was associated with unfavorable survival in patients with ovarian cancer. LMR could serve as a prognostic biomarker of ovarian cancer.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Monocytes / cytology*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Analysis