Preoperative prognostic nutritional index level is associated with tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte status in patients with surgically resected lung squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract OBJECTIVES The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is an indicator of systemic immune-nutritional condition and a well-known biomarker in lung cancer patients. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) specific histological feature cancers, influencing individual’s immunological tumour responses. However, whether PNI can reflect patients’ prognosis through local immunity such as TIL unclear. METHODS We selected 64 squamous cell carcinoma patients who underwent curative operations. investigated the significance preoperative level evaluated relationship between immune cells surrounding tissue using immunohistochemical analysis cluster differentiation (CD)3, CD4, CD8 CD68. RESULTS A low-PNI was significantly associated with worse postoperative (P = 0.042). (hazard ratio 2.768, 95% confidence interval 1.320–5.957; P 0.007) independent factor. group had shorter recurrence-free survival overall 0.013 0.002, log-rank test) compared high-PNI group. significant positive correlation components including peripheral blood lymphocyte count serum albumin concentration, TILs, observed. Absolute numbers TILs were increased those (CD3+ cells; CD4+ 0.049 CD8+ 0.024). CONCLUSIONS strongly outcome Considering status, may influence well response.