Objective: Although most patients with locally advanced lung cancer show a moderate response to chemoradiotherapy, the results are not satisfactory. In lung cancer, lymphocyte percentages and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine levels have been reported to be significantly correlated with survival rates. In this study, we investigated the effects of lymphocyte percentages and IL-6 levels on overall survival and progression-free survival. Methods: One hundred forty-two patients diagnosed with lung cancer and treated with radiotherapy were included in the study. Patients were examined according to gender, age, clinical stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, pathology and pre-radiotherapy lymphocyte percentages and IL-6 cytokine levels. The results were also analyzed according to radiotherapy dose, treatment sites and response rates. Results: When comparing patients with lymphocyte percentage >15% to those with lymphocyte percentage ≤15%, median overall survival was 18 months and 7 months, progression-free survival was 17 and 5 months, respectively, and median overall survival and progression-free survival were significantly higher in those with lymphocyte percentage >15% (p=0.007 and p=0.006). When comparing patients with IL-6 ≤7 pg/mL to those with >7 pg/mL, median overall survival was 14 and 7 months, progression-free survival was 9 and 4 months, and median overall survival and progression-free survival was significantly higher in patients with IL-6 ≤7 pg/mL (p=0.011 and p=0.01). Conclusion: In advanced lung cancer patients, lymphocyte counts and IL-6 levels before radiotherapy are important prognostic biomarkers, and these tests can be used in patient follow-up and to develop different treatment strategies.
ÇEPNİ et al. (Tue,) studied this question.