Circulating Tumor Cells & Inflammation

[pjoshea13]

New study below [1] [2].

"The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been associated with survival in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, no study has examined the prognostic value of NLR and PLR in the context of CTCs."

"Among the 37 patients with detectable CTCs, those with a high NLR had significantly shorter OS {overall survival}".

"Compared to the patients with CTCs and low NLR, those with CTCs and high levels of NLR had a 3.79-fold risk of death "

See also: "Inflammation. [1] Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio [NLR]" [3]

Subclinical inflammation is a killer, but can be countered.

-Patrick

[1] pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/340...

[2] Full text: bmccancer.biomedcentral.com...

[3] healthunlocked.com/advanced...

[PhilipSZacarias]

Makes sense - an inflammatory state plus CTC’s is a bad combination. Phil

[cesces]

""Compared to the patients with CTCs and low NLR, those with CTCs and high levels of NLR had a 3.79-fold risk of death "

I wonder why it is the ratio not the absolute levels?

Could be just correlation. The lymphocytes are in overdrive fighting the aggressive prostate cancer.

But, are more laid back of it's unaggressive?????

[pjoshea13 in reply to cesces]

There are 2,853 PubMed hits for<"neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio">. It's a more meaningful indicator of inflammation than the separate numbers.

[MateoBeach]

Had to dig into the full text to see their cutoff for high vs. low NTL ratios. It was 2.65.So absolute neutrophil count divided by absolute lymphocyte count gives the ratio. If it is above 2.65 it indicated higher risk and if under 2.65 was lower risk in this study. Interesting parameter to watch.

[Shooter1]

Mine sits at 1.1 so I guess that's ONE thing not to worry about.

[Daveofnj]

CellSearch blood draws are no longer available at LabCorp or Quest. What are other CTC tests?

[Peppertree602]

Similar question on how to get a CTC test?