Prognostic value of inflammatory markers in predicting recurrence-free survival in gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients: A nomogram-based approach

BACKGROUND There are currently no relevant studies at home or abroad that combine inflammatory indicators and nomograms to predict the prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients after surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive value of related inflammatory indicators [systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and monocyte/Lymphocyte ratio (MLR)] in patients undergoing GIST surgery, incorporating relevant risk factors to establish a nomogram prediction model, with the aim of better predicting the prognosis of GIST patients. AIM To explore the relationships between the SII, NLR, PLR, and MLR and postoperative recurrence in patients with GIST. METHODS This study retrospectively included patients who underwent GIST surgery from January 2014 to January 2017 and analyzed the potential relationships between the preoperative SII, NLR, PLR, and MLR and clinicopathological features. The independent risk factors influencing the prognosis of GIST patients were obtained via multivariate regression analysis, and a nomogram model based on the independent risk factors was established. RESULTS Among the 124 GIST patients included in the present study, 31 (25%) experienced recurrence within 5 years. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed a correlation between the MLR and PLR and tumor size (P = 0.016 and P = 0.002, respectively). The preoperative SII, MLR, NLR, and PLR were significantly associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P < 0.05). The multivariate analysis results identified the PLR, MLR, and targeted therapy as independent prognostic factors for patient outcomes. CONCLUSION Preoperative MLR and PLR, which are independent risk factors for GIST recurrence, were correlated with RFS. Nomograms based on the PLR, MLR and targeted therapy can be used for clinical treatment.