Files
Document type
ArticleVersion
Published versionPublication date
Publication license
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/229111
Walking one hour per day and the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with outcome in palliative second-line immunotherapy for patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
Journal Title
Director/Tutor
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Related resource
Abstract
Objectives
To determine whether routinary walking activity and the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with outcomes in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.
Methods
This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 64 patients diagnosed with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck and treated with immunotherapy (Programmed Death-1 and Programmed Death-ligand-1 proteins inhibitors) at two tertiary centers. We compared a group that performed uninterrupted physical activity for 1 h per day and controls who performed no activity. The derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was calculated as follows: [neutrophils / (leukocytes – neutrophils)]. Progression-free survival and overall survival were evaluated.
Results
We included 28 (44%) and 36 (56%) patients in the activity and non-activity groups, respectively. Patient characteristics, treatment details, and tumor Programmed Death-ligand-1 expression were not associated with either progression-free survival or overall survival. Physical activity was an independent beneficial factor for progression-free survival (p < 0.001) and overall survival (p < 0.001). By contrast, a derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio <3.5 was an independent beneficial factor for overall survival (p = 0.013), but not for progression-free survival (p = 0.328).
Conclusions
Walking one hour per day and having a high proportion of lymphocytes to neutrophiles (expressed as a low derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) independently predict a better prognosis in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck treated with immunotherapy.
Subject
Subject (English)
Citation
Citation
CABALLERO BORREGO, Miguel, et al. Walking one hour per day and the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with outcome in palliative second-line immunotherapy for patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2024. Vol. 90, num. 6, pags. 101493. ISSN 1808-8694. [consulted: 12 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/229111