Research Article

Radiosensitivity nomogram based on circulating neutrophils in thoracic cancer

Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, PR China

^‡Authors contributed equally

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Qiqi Liu^‡

Department of Breast Surgery, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200030, PR China

Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200030, PR China

^‡Authors contributed equally

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Guodong Deng

Department of Chemical Etiology & Carcinogenesis, Cancer Institute, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100021, PR China

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Jingxin Zhang

Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No.107 Culture Road, Jinan, 250021, PR China

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Ning Liang

Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, PR China

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Jian Xie

Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, PR China

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Jiandong Zhang

*Author for correspondence: Tel.: +86 531 135 8312 3486;

E-mail Address: Jiandongzhang165@163.com

Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, 16766 Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, PR China

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Published Online:29 Jan 2019https://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2018-0398

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Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the prediction ability of neutrophils and develop a nomogram on radiosensitivity in thoracic cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 398 lung and esophageal cancers patients who received external-beam radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy as first-line therapy. Results: Logistic regression model showed that patients with low levels of neutrophil counts and/or TGF-β1 exhibited better radiation sensitivity. Furthermore, a nomogram was created to predict radiotherapy sensitivity. The combination of neutrophil count and TGF-β1 level was an independent prognostic factor for lung and esophageal cancers patients. Conclusion: The study developed a nomogram based on the levels of circulating neutrophils and TGF-β1. The prediction value in radiosensitivity and protumorigenic effect of neutrophils might owe to N2 tumor-associated neutrophils.

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Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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Vol. 15, No. 7

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History

Received 27 May 2018

Accepted 25 October 2018

Published online 29 January 2019

Published in print March 2019

Information

Keywords

Authors’ contributions

Q Liu and J Zhang contributed to conception and design. Q Liu, P Hu, J Zhang and G Deng contributed to data analysis and manuscript writing. Q Liu, P Hu, N Liang and J Xie performed data acquisition. All authors reviewed the manuscript and approved the final authorship.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grants no. 81672974 and no. 81602719). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Institutional Research Committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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