Comparison of the prognostic value of selected markers of the systemic inflammatory response in patients with colorectal cancer

There is increasing evidence that the presence of a systemic inflammatory response plays an important role in predicting survival in patients with colorectal cancer. However, it is not clear what components of the systemic inflammatory response best predict survival. The aim of the present study was to compare the prognostic value of an inflammation-based prognostic score (modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (Mgps) 0=C-reactive protein 10 mg l(-1), and 2=C-reactive protein >10 mg l(-1) and albumin5 cm (HR 1.78, 95% CI 0.99-3.21, P=0.054), extra-hepatic disease (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.05-4.17, P=0.036), chemotherapy treatment (HR 2.40, 95% CI 1.82-3.17, P<0.001) and mGPS (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.01-2.04, P=0.043) were independently associated with cancer-specific survival. In summary, markers of the systemic inflammatory response are associated with poor outcome in patients with either primary operable or synchronous unresectable colorectal cancer. An acute-phase protein-based prognostic score, the mGPS, appears to be a superior predictor of survival compared with the cellular components of the systemic inflammatory response.