Correlation of body composition by computerized tomography and metabolic parameters with survival of nivolumab-treated lung cancer patients

PURPOSE: Weight loss is a well-recognized prognostic parameter for survival of lung cancer patients. Computerized-tomography (CT)-based analysis of body composition and blood-based metabolic evaluation are promising prognostic tools. We aimed to assess the correlation between albumin, body mass index (BMI), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), fat mass index (FMI) and weight change, as well as their correlation with survival of lung cancer patients on nivolumab treatment. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected. Weight was measured at a diagnosis of stage 4 disease and before start of nivolumab. Albumin levels were measured before starting nivolumab. BMI, SMI, FFMI, and FMI were evaluated from CT scans performed at start of nivolumab. Overall survival (OS) was from starting of nivolumab to death or censured at last follow-up. Statistical analysis was done to identify correlation between the various factors and between those factors and survival. RESULTS: Forty-six patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were included. Median follow-up was 22 months. Pathology was Adenocarcinoma/Squamous/non-other specified in 25/15/6 respectively. All patients received nivolumab as an advanced-line treatment for stage IV NSCLC. We observed a significant correlation of weight loss (P=0.01, HR=2.85) and albumin (P=0.043, HR=0.34) with OS in multivariate analysis. A significant correlation was found between BMI to SMI, FFMI, FMI, and weight change. CONCLUSION: Weight loss and low albumin levels are significant negative prognostic factors for NSCLC patients on immunotherapy. CT-based parameters of body composition remain to be proven as more reliable than standard clinical parameters.