Prognostic values of platelet-associated indicators in advanced breast cancer

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the female population. Platelet-related indicators can be used as prognostic markers of cancers. The present study investigated the potential values of platelet count (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in the prognosis of advanced breast cancer (ABC).

Methods: This retrospective study recruited 94 locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer cases who had histologic and cytologic evidence. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median baseline values of PLT, PCT, MPV, PDW, and PLR. To evaluate the individual value changes after treatment, we introduced the concept of post/pre-treatment ratio (≤1 indicated value was not increased after treatment, while >1 suggested increased value). Responses to chemotherapy, including partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD), were recorded. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to show overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis models were employed to identify the independent risk factors.

Results: A lower baseline PCT level was correlated with a better OS. A lower baseline PLT level and a higher baseline PDW level were related to better chemotherapeutic efficacy of breast cancer patients. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis both revealed that a higher baseline PCT level was an independent prognostic factor for OS.

Conclusions: PCT level may be a potential prognosis factor for ABC.

Keywords: Breast cancer; platelet count (PLT); plateletcrit (PCT); prognosis.

Figure 1

Relationship between baseline PLT-related indicators status and the outcomes. (A) The OS according to PLT; (B) the OS according to PCT; (C) the OS according to MPV; (D) the OS according to PDW; (E) the OS according to PLR. *P<0.05. PLT, platelet count; PCT, plateletcrit; MPV, mean platelet volume; PDW, platelet distribution width; PLR, platelet to lymphocyte ratio.

Figure 2

Relationship between changes in PLT-related indicator status after chemotherapy and the outcomes. (A) The OS according to changes in PLT; (B) the OS according to changes in PCT; (C) the OS according to changes in MPV; (D) the OS according to changes in PDW; (E) the OS according to changes in PLR. PLT, platelet count; PCT, plateletcrit; MPV, mean platelet volume; PDW, platelet distribution width; PLR, platelet to lymphocyte ratio.