A novel prognostic marker based on risk stratification with prognostic nutritional index and age for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy

: Aim: To evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Materials & methods: We conducted a retrospective study on prognostic value of PNI in NPC patients. A new prognostic marker was explored based on risk stratification with PNI and age. Results: PNI and age were two independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival besides node stage and clinical stage. Low prognostic nutritional index and high age (LPNI-HAge) was identified as an independent prognostic factor for both OS (p < 0.001) and progression free survival (p = 0.008), which has a better predict value than sole PNI or age. Conclusion: The novel prognosis index LPNI-HAge provides prognostication of OS and progression free survival for NPC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy.