Prognostic capacity of PIV (pan-immune-inflammation value) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction

The pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), an index that results from the following ratio: (neutrophils × monocytes × platelets)/lymphocytes, has been proposed as a prognostic biomarker in different tumour models. The aim of this study is to analyse the prognostic capacity of PIV in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Patients and methods

Retrospective study of 1187 patients with HNSCC treated at our centre between 2000−2017. PIV value was obtained from an analysis performed within 3 weeks prior to the start of treatment.

Results

PIV value was significantly associated with toxic consumption (0.001), tumour location (0.0001), tumour extension (0.0001), and histological grade (0.016). Four categories were defined based on PIV value using a recursive partitioning analysis: category I: PIV < 136.3 (n = 118, 9.9%), category II: PIV 136.3–451.1 (n = 594, 50.0%), category III: PIV 451.1−1,141.2 (n = 357, 30.1%), and category IV: PIV > 1141.2 (n = 118, 9.9%). A significant and ordered decrease in disease-specific survival was observed as the PIV category increased. This decrease in survival was independent of the type of treatment, tumour extension, or location of the primary tumour. The PIV category was and independent prognostic factor of disease-specific survival in a multivariable study.

Conclusions

PIV is a prognostic biomarker in patients with HNSCC.