Neutrophilia as a biomarker for overall survival in newly diagnosed high-grade glioma patients undergoing chemoradiation

OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic value of neutrophil disorders in a retrospective cohort of high-grade glioma patients receiving definitive concurrent temozolomide and radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of consecutive patients treated in our Institution between January 2005 and December 2010 with concurrent temozolomide (75 mg/m(2) daily) and radiation were collected. The prognostic value of pretreatment neutrophilia on survival, defined as a neutrophil count exceeding 7 G/L, was examined. RESULTS: We identified 164 patients, all treated with concurrent temozolomide-based chemoradiotherapy. Initial surgery was achieved in most (75%), with resection > 90% in 55 patients (34%). Total 151 patients (92%) had glioblastoma, and 13 patients (8%) had WHO grade III glioma. Eighty-two patients (50%) displayed pretreatment neutrophilia. Neutrophilia was not associated with concurrent or adjuvant temodal discontinuation (p > 0.3). The 2-year actuarial overall survival was 45%. Steroid consumption, i.e. 60 mg or more of daily prednisolone, increased pretreatment neutrophil count (p = 0.005). In univariate analysis, neutrophilia was associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.019), as well as age ≥ 65 years (p = 0.009), surgical resection < 90% (p = 0.003) and prednisolone consumption ≥ 60 mg/day (p = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, neutrophilia (p = 0.013), age ≥ 65 (p = 0.001), and surgical tumor resection < 90% (p = 0.010) independently decreased overall survival, while, steroid consumption was not (p = 0.088). CONCLUSION: In high-grade gliomas treated with concurrent temozolomide and radiation, pretreatment neutrophilia may be a significant prognosis factor for overall survival. In addition with previously available markers, this independent cost-effective biomarker could help identifying patients with worsened prognosis.