Lymphocyte-to-C-Reactive Protein Ratio Predicts Prognosis in Patients With Colorectal Liver Metastases Post-hepatic Resection: A Retrospective Study

Background/Aim: Preoperative systemic inflammation has been reported to predict survival in patients with various cancer types. In patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), the prognosis is poor despite therapeutic advances in the field. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of the lymphocyte-to-C-reactive protein (CRP) ratio (LCR) in patients with CRLM after hepatic resection. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included 104 patients who underwent hepatic resection for CRLM between October 2010 and 2021 at the National Hospital Organization Fukuyama Medical Center, Hiroshima, Japan. The association between clinicopathological variables, including various inflammatory biomarkers [LCR, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP-to-albumin ratio (CAR), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI)], and overall survival of the patients was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The optimal cut-off values for each biomarker by receiver-operating characteristic analysis were as follows: LCR: 12,720; PLR: 150; NLR: 4; CAR: 0.023; and PNI: 44.8. The 1-, 3-, and 5 -year overall survival rates were 97.0%, 71.3%, and 56.8%, respectively. On univariate analysis, LCR<12, 720, PLR<0.14, body mass index <24 kg/m2, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 >= 37 U/ml, multiple tumours, and largest hepatic tumour >= 5 cm were significant factors predictive of poorer survival. The multivariate analysis revealed that LCR<12, 720 (hazard ratio=2.156, 95% confidence interval=1.060-4.509, p=0.034) and multiple tumours (HR=2.336, 95% CI=1.125-4.925, p=0.023) were independent predictors of poor overall survival. Conclusion: LCR may be an independent prognostic predictor in patients after hepatic resection for CRLM. Therefore, the assessment of LCR as a biomarker may help in treatment planning.