Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio and Standardized Uptake Value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography for Prediction of Neoadjuvant Therapy Responses in Patients with Early-stage Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE The primary objective in operable breast cancer (BC) is to achieve a pathological complete response (pCR). Although some markers can predict pCR, there is still a need for additional factors. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed patients with early BC patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic treatment (NST) at the one academic center. Baseline neutrophile/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ) were analyzed before surgery and their relationship to pCR was determined. RESULTS Ninety-nine patients were included in our analysis. Overall, 36 patients (36.4% of the total) achieved pCR, while 63 patients (63.6% of the total) did not. High SUV max at baseline was associated with worse prognostic factors, including larger tumor size, high grade, negative ER, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The median NLR was 1.85 for patients with pCR and 1.90 for those without pCR (p=0.392). Patients with pCR had a higher median baseline SUV max than those with residual tumors (14.5 vs. 10, respectively, p=0.023).