Useful prognostic tools based on complete blood cell counts in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Introduction Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most frequent lymphoma. Three prognostic factors are widely used in DLBCL: International Prognostic Index (IPI), Revised-IPI (R-IPI), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network-IPI (NCCN-IPI). Method We established a prognostic model using peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte/absolute monocyte counts ratio (LMR), hemoglobin, and platelet counts obtained from complete blood cell counts (CBC) data at diagnosis based on 214 cases of DLBCL who received more than one course of R-CHOP therapy at a single institution. Results The cutoff values for using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve for LMR, hemoglobin, and platelet counts were 1.6, 100 g/L, and 150 x 10(9)/L, respectively. Stratification was performed using the three factors (LMR < 1.6, hemoglobin < 100 g/L, and platelet counts < 150 x 10(9)/L). CBC Group 1 (none of the 3 factors) included 92 cases, CBC Group 2 (1 or 2 of these factors) included 108 cases, and CBC Group 3 (all 3 factors) included 11 cases. The 5-year OS rates were 78.2%, 60.9%, and 10.1%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, CBC Group 3 (hazard ratio, 2.9760; 95% confidence interval, 1.2670-6.991; P = .01) were prognostic factors for OS. CBC Group 3 had factors based on which the further stratification of the poor prognosis group into IPI high-risk and R-IPI poor-risk groups (P = .01, <.0001, respectively) was possible. Conclusions In DLBCL, combination of three CBC parameters has the potential to be a useful prognostic tool.