Glasgow prognostic score predicts prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), an inflammation-based scoring system, has been evaluated in various cancers. However, its clinical significance remains unclear in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a meta-analysis to explore the prognostic value of GPS in NSCLC patients. METHODS: A quantitative meta-analysis was performed through a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) of overall survival (OS) were calculated and compared. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies comprising 2669 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with GPS 0 group, patients in GPS 1–2 group exhibited a reduced OS with a pooled HR of 1.89 (95 % CI 1.57–2.27, p < 0.001; I(2) = 54 %). Six studies had sufficient data to calculate HRs of OS for GPS 1 and GPS 2 groups. Analysis revealed that GPS 2 group had a statistically significant reduced OS compared with GPS 1 group with a pooled HR of 1.87 (95 % CI 1.18–2.97, p = 0.008; I(2) = 72 %). Study type (retrospective vs. prospective) and disease stage could partially explain the heterogeneity of each study by subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment GPS could serve as a simple and reliable prognosis predictor for NSCLC. More well-designed studies that consider GPS as a stratification factor are warranted.