Nutritional and inflammatory indicators differ among patients with colorectal cancer with distinct microsatellite stability statuses.

Abstract

Background: Nutritional and inflammatory indicators are crucial in assessing the nutritional health and immune function of patients with cancer, which are factors closely associated with the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Aim: To explore the relationship between nutritional and inflammatory indicators and microsatellite stability (MSS) status in CRC.

Methods: The clinical data of 56 patients who underwent surgical treatment for CRC were collected. Furthermore, the expressions of nutritional (levels of serum albumin, triglycerides, serum cholesterol, and body mass index) and inflammatory response indicators (absolute neutrophil count, absolute lymphocyte count, absolute monocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio) as well as their correlation with microsatellite instability (MSI) status were investigated in patients with CRC.

Results: Compared to the patients with MSS tumors, those with MSI tumors demonstrated significantly lower levels of two nutritional indicators, namely serum albumin and body mass index (P < 0.05). Moreover, patients in the MSI group demonstrated significantly lower absolute lymphocyte counts and higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio than those in the MSS group (P < 0.05), indicating pronounced differences in inflammatory responses and immune states between the two groups.

Conclusion: Certain nutritional and inflammatory indicators exhibit significant differences among patients with MSI and MSS CRC, highlighting their potential role in the clinical treatment and health management of this specific population.