Prognostic Value of the C-Reactive Protein-albumin-lymphocyte Index For Patients With Recurrent οr Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Nivolumab.

Background/aim: Systemic inflammation, immunity, and nutrition-based prognostic indices (SIINBPIs) have been associated with cancer prognosis. This study evaluated their prognostic relevance in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) treated with nivolumab.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 103 R/M HNSCC patients who received nivolumab. Pretreatment blood tests were used to calculate SIINBPIs including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), high-sensitivity modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (HS-mGPS), and the C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index.

Results: The CALLY index and performance status were identified as independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). Patients with a high CALLY index had better performance status and were more likely to receive subsequent chemotherapy. The CALLY index showed superior prognostic performance over other SIINBPIs.

Conclusion: The CALLY index may serve as a useful and independent prognostic biomarker for R/M HNSCC patients undergoing nivolumab therapy, reflecting systemic status and predicting treatment outcomes.