ORCID
- P.R. Debruyne: 0000-0001-5438-9697
Abstract
Background and purpose: This study aims to evaluate neutrophil-to-eosinophil ratio (NER) as a prognostic and/or predictive biomarker in metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (m-ccRCC) treated with nivolumab or ipilimumab/nivolumab.Patients/materials and methods: We performed a retrospective study on m-ccRCC patients treated with nivolumab or ipilimumab/nivolumab (2012–2022). Baseline NER was calculated and correlated with clinical outcomes: response rate (RR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Corresponding transcriptomic data were analysed.Results: We included 201 m-ccRCC patients, 76 treated with ipilimumab/nivolumab and 125 with nivolumab. Baseline NER was statistically significantly associated with International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk groups. Increased NER was associated with shorter PFS and OS in the total patient series and nivolumab-treated patients. In patients treated with ipilimumab/nivolumab, increased NER was only statistically significantly associated with shorter OS. The impact of baseline NER on PFS and OS was independent of IMDC risk stratification. No clear correlation was found between baseline NER and RECIST response or maximal tumour shrinkage. In two additional databases, NER was also associated with PFS and OS in first-line vascular-endothelial-growth-factor-receptor tyrosine-kinase-inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs), but not to disease-free survival in the post-nephrectomy setting. Lower NER was associated with intratumoural molecular features possibly associated with better outcome on immune checkpoint inhibitors.Interpretation: Lower baseline NER is associated with better PFS and OS, independent of IMDC risk score, in m-ccRCC patients treated with ipilimumab/nivolumab or nivolumab. It correlates with intratumoural molecular features possibly associated with better outcome on immune checkpoint inhibitors. The predictive power of this biomarker is probably limited and insufficient for patient selection.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2024-08-11
Publication Title
Acta Oncologica
Volume
63
ISSN
0284-186X
Acceptance Date
2024-06-28
Deposit Date
2025-11-03
Funding
PRD reports leader- and ownership of Dr. Philip Debruyne (BV); received grants (to institution) from Pfizer; received consulting fees for participation on advisory boards from Astellas Pharma, BMS, Ipsen, Merck, and Pfizer; received honoraria for lectures from Bayer; received travel support from Janssen; serves as a (substitute) board member for the Clinical Trials College, Federal Public Service, Kingdom of Belgium; and holds stock in Alkermes, Mural Oncology PLC and Biocartis Group NV. B.B. reports speak-er’s fee from BMS, Pfizer, MSD and Ipsen, consulting fees for par-ticipation on advisory boards from BMS, Ipsen and MSD, and an unrestricted research grant from BMS.
Additional Links
First Page
658
Last Page
668
Recommended Citation
Beulque, Y., Kinget, L., Roussel, E., Mobaraki, S., Laenen, A., Debruyne, P., Van Herck, Y., Baldewijns, M., Wozniak, A., Garg, A., Zucman-Rossi, J., Couchy, G., Albersen, M., De Wever, L., Haaker, L., & Beuselinck, B. (2024) 'Baseline neutrophil-to-eosinophil-ratio and outcome in metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab or ipilimumab/nivolumab', Acta Oncologica, 63, pp. 658-668. Available at: 10.2340/1651-226X.2024.40390
