220P - Biomarker of blood age and inflammation in older cancer patients might predict outcome

Background

Two-thirds of all cancers are diagnosed in patients above the age of 65 years, often associated with worse outcomes. The aim of this cohort study was to identify the predictive value of blood markers of inflammation, cell activity, and aging in older patients with solid malignant tumors.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with solid tumors were included at the Cancer Center Baselland, Switzerland. We investigated the predictive value on overall survival of blood markers sampled by clinical routine, including CRP (C-reactive protein), NLR (Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase), Albumin, and Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin). The study analyzed the median value of each blood marker in all patients diagnosed after January 1, 2018, and calculated the survival curves and hazard ratios.

Results

From Jan 2018 to Feb 2022, a total of 510 patients were included with a median age at diagnosis of 72 years (57-91 years). Among these patients, 246 had localized disease, and 262 had advanced disease at primary diagnosis. The diagnoses included NSCLC (n=158, 31%), CRC (n=98, 19%), breast cancer (n=58, 11%), prostate cancer (n=82, 16%), pancreas cancer (n=42, 8%), urothelial cancer (n=42, 8%) and SCLC (n=30, 6%). Patients with abnormal median blood values had a significantly increased risk of poor outcomes. NLR>4 (p<0.001, HR=2.37), CRP >5mg/l (p=0.021, HR=1.6), CRP>10mg/l (p<0.001, HR=4.0-6.6), Albumin<35g/l (p<0.001, HR=3.05), LDH>250U/l (p<0.001. HR=2.24), and Vitamin B12>810pmol/l (p<0.002, HR=2.96) were associated with increased hazard ratios.

Conclusions

Older cancer patients with abnormal inflammation and aging markers had worse outcomes. This highlights the potential role of these blood markers in predicting outcomes in cancer patients with solid tumors. It is important to note that these blood markers are not cancer-specific, and their levels can be affected by other factors, such as infection, inflammation, and nutritional status. However, when used in conjunction with other clinical and pathological factors, they may provide additional information for risk stratification and treatment planning. Overall, our study adds to the growing body of evidence on the potential role of blood biomarkers in predicting outcomes in cancer patients.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.