Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Extrahepatic Spread Predict Response and Survival in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
A two-variable score using routine blood counts and CT scans predicts which patients benefit from standard immunotherapy in advanced liver cancer.
This externally validated retrospective cohort study shows that a simple two-variable risk score (NLR + extrahepatic spread) predicts response and survival in unresectable HCC patients receiving atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, the current standard first-line immunotherapy regimen for this cancer. The accessible nature of both variables (routine blood count and CT staging) makes this score immediately applicable in clinical practice to identify patients unlikely to benefit from first-line immunotherapy.
What the study was
- Study design
- Retrospective cohort study with external validation
- Population
- Unresectable HCC patients treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (n derived from multi-site cohorts with external validation)
- Category
- Treatment Innovation
- Maturity
- Validated
- Journal
- Cancer research and treatment
Why it surfaced
Simple validated biomarker model (NLR + EHS) for predicting atezolizumab/bevacizumab response in HCC is immediately clinically applicable; external validation increases confidence in practical utility.
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