Prognostic Value of Preclinical Markers after Radiotherapy of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression—An Additional Analysis of Patients from Two Prospective Trials

SIMPLE SUMMARY: For personalized treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC), a patient’s remaining lifespan plays an important role, which can be estimated using prognostic factors. This study used data from 190 patients with poor or intermediate survival prognoses previously included in prospective trials to evaluate the prognostic role of preclinical markers including hemoglobin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and c-reactive protein (CRP) plus clinical factors. On univariate analyses, NLR, LDH, CRP, and clinical factors tumor type, ambulatory status, and sphincter function were significantly associated with survival. On multivariate analysis, LDH, CRP, tumor type, and ambulatory status proved to be independent predictors of survival. In addition to clinical factors, preclinical markers may support physicians to estimate survival prognoses and contribute to the treatment personalization of patients with MSCC. ABSTRACT: For optimal personalization of treatment for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC), the patient’s survival prognosis should be considered. Estimation of survival can be facilitated by prognostic factors. This study investigated the prognostic value of pre-treatment preclinical markers, namely hemoglobin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and c-reactive protein (CRP), in 190 patients from two prospective trials who had poor or intermediate survival prognoses and were irradiated for MSCC with motor deficits. In addition, clinical factors including radiation regimen, age, gender, tumor type, interval from tumor diagnosis to MSCC, number of affected vertebrae, visceral metastases, other bone metastases, time developing motor deficits, ambulatory status, sensory function, and sphincter function were evaluated. On univariate analyses, NLR (p = 0.033), LDH (p < 0.001), CRP (p < 0.001), tumor type (p < 0.001), pre-radiotherapy ambulatory status (p < 0.001), and sphincter function (p = 0.011) were significant. In the subsequent Cox regression analysis, LDH (p = 0.007), CRP (p = 0.047), tumor type (p = 0.003), and ambulatory status (p = 0.010) maintained significance. In addition to clinical factors, preclinical markers may help in estimating the survival of patients irradiated for MSCC. Additional prospective trials are warranted.