Lung Immune Prognostic Index (LIPI): Prognostic predictor for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer

Objective: Extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, for which prognostic factors are being investigated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the Lung Immune Prognostic Index (LIPI) in ES-SCLC patients. Patients and Methods: Our retrospective study evaluated 60 ES-SCLC patients who were followed-up and treated between 2014 and 2022 and whose data could be accessed. Demographic characteristics, treatments and laboratory parameters (lactate dehydrogenase, white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte) were collected from patients’ files and electronic system of our institution. Patients were divided into 3 groups (LIPI 0, LIPI 1 and LIPI 2). Results: The worst survival outcome was in LIPI 2. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.7 months for LIPI 0; 5.6 months for LIPI 1 and 5.4 months for LIPI 2 (p = 0.001). Median overall survival (OS) was 19.7 months, 10.2 months and 7.7 months for LIPI 0, LIPI 1 and LIPI 2, respectively (p = 0.001). In both univariate and multivariate analyses, LIPI was found to be an independent negative prognostic factor (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Lung Immune Prognostic Index is a potentially valuable prognostic marker in ES-SCLC patients. It is thought to be helpful in individualized treatment decisions for ES-SCLC patients. However, further comprehensive multicenter studies are necessary to confirm our results.