The Cardiovascular
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Prognostic Index for Cancer Outcomes

Two-marker inflammatory prognostic index for survival in advanced NSCLC.

Prognostic Index for Cancer Outcomes
CRP >10 mg/L
WBC >11 x10^9/L
Result0 points (PI 0)

Median overall survival is approximately 20.0 months in the cohort this index was derived from (stage IV NSCLC receiving platinum-based chemotherapy).

Prognostic Index group
PI 0
Approx. median overall survival
20.0 months

When to use

  • Stratifying expected survival in patients with advanced (stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer before starting palliative chemotherapy, using two routinely available inflammatory markers.

Formula

PI = 1 point for CRP >10 mg/L + 1 point for WBC >11 x10^9/L (pre-treatment). Score range 0-2 (PI 0, 1, or 2).

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Derived and validated specifically in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy; extrapolation to other cancer types or stages is unvalidated.
  • Both markers should be drawn before treatment is started, as chemotherapy and infection can transiently alter CRP and WBC.

References

  1. Kasymjanova G, MacDonald N, Agulnik JS, et al. The predictive value of pre-treatment inflammatory markers in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Curr Oncol. 2010;17(4):52-58.