Baseline platelet counts and derived inflammatory biomarkers: prognostic relevance in metastatic melanoma patients receiving Endostar plus dacarbazine and cisplatin

Background: The clinical efficacy and safety of Endostar combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma (MM) were analyzed and the indicators capable of predicting the efficacy of the regimen were identified to guide clinical practice. Patients and methods: The clinical data of 55 patients with metastatic MM without gene mutations who were treated with Endostar combined with dacarbazine and cisplatin were retrospectively analyzed. Efficacy was assessed using RECIST 1.1, and adverse events (AEs) were graded according to NCI-CTCAE 4.0. The log-rank test was used to compare the survival curves of patients in different subgroups, and stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine significant prognostic factors. Differences were considered statistically significant at P<0.05. Results: Of the 55 patients, seven showed a partial response, 20 showed stable disease, and 28 showed progressive disease. The median progression-free survival was 17.9 months. AEs were controllable. Univariate analysis identified biotherapy, clinical stage, clinical classification, low baseline platelet count, platelet to albumin ratio (PAR), and platelet to globulin ratio (PGR) as factors affecting drug efficacy. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified clinical stage and PAR as independent factors predicting the efficacy of the regimen. Conclusions: Endostar combined with chemotherapy showed a curative effect on metastatic MM without gene mutations, and AEs were controllable. The baseline platelet count and derived PAR and PGR values were associated with the efficacy of the regimen. The potential value of efficacy prediction remains to be further verified by prospective random experiments.