Study: Prognostic role of the relationship between neutrophils and lymphocytes in cancer

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio warns us of the fact that the immune system is mis-regulated by inflammation and that our cancer patients are exposed to a higher risk of mortality.

people have an elegant immune system that is dependent in different types of white blood cells to protect us from damage. Two of these types of white blood cells are neutrophiles and lymphocytes. Neutrophils protect us from bacterial infections and react to inflammation. Lymphocytes (which include natural killer cells, T cells and B cells) protect us from viruses and cancer. 4 If we experience inflammation, the body has to do with a perceived wound so that it increases our surface immunity/neutrophils and reduces our anti-cancer immunity/lymphocytes. When we look at the NLR, it becomes clear how inflammation suppress cancer immunity in some patients.

based on the results of a complete blood count with a differential blood image, the ratio of the absolute neutrophilic number to the number of lymphocytes can be easily calculated. If the number of neutrophils is 4 times larger than that of the lymphocytes (> 4: 1), the patient has a poorer prognosis than if the ratio was less than 4: 1.

It was found that, depending on the type of tumor, different limit values ​​for NLR predict cancer survival. While 4 a good limit for all types of tumor is together, it can be appropriate to search for less than 3 for breast cancer 5 and less than 3 in prostate cancer. 6 I calculate NLR by looking at the lymphocyte value, with 3 or 4 multiplication and seeing whether the neutrophils are higher than this product. If this is the case, this is a warning that the inflammation is high and the cancer immunity is impaired.

As a naturopathic practitioner, we are trained in supporting the immune system to prevent cancer. We now have some new information that inflammation can prevent adequate cancer immune surveillance. In fact, chemofeating such as aspirin and COX-2 inhibitor, of which we used to think they only work through the combat of inflammation, also work through the immune system. ^{7 even curcumin, a prominent anti-inflammatory active ingredient, has shown in animal models that it shifts the T-helper (Th) to TH1 immunity T-cell cytotoxicity highly regulated and strengthens cancer immunity. 8 It is likely that inflammation must be tackled at the same time so that natural immactors can work.}

nlr is a helpful warning signal for clinicians. It warns us of the fact that the immune system is mis -regulated by inflammation and that our cancer patients are exposed to a higher risk of mortality. It calls us on treating inflammation more aggressive so that the immune system and vitality can get back into balance.