Biomarkers of Survival in Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases Treated with Percutaneous Microwave Ablation

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: To evaluate the prognostic value of easily obtainable biomarkers for patients undergoing percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for colorectal liver metastases (CLMs). Prior studies showed that simple biomarkers, such as the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as well as cancer-specific markers, like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), might have a prognostic role in various malignancies; however, none of these were assessed in patients undergoing MWA for CLMs. <b>Methods</b>: Based on the simple laboratory results, which were determined prior to the ablation, several biomarkers, including the LMR, AGR, PLR, and NLR, were calculated. The log-rank test's optimal cutoff points for continuous variables were determined. Subsequently, univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were utilized to determine the association between various features and overall survival (OS). <b>Results</b>: This study included 57 CLM patients with a mean age of 63 ± 12.5 years at the time of ablation with a mean follow up of 30.9 months. The univariable model demonstrated that a high level of CEA (cutoff: 29.1 ng/mL; HR: 3.70) and a high LMR (cutoff: 5.32; HR: 4.05) were related to worse OS, whereas a high NLR (cutoff: 2.05; HR: 0.31) and primary left-sided colon cancer (HR: 0.36) were positive prognostic factors. The multivariable regression model confirmed these findings, with the exception of the LMR, which was no longer significantly associated with OS. <b>Conclusions</b>: This study demonstrates the feasibility of overall survival prediction and thus patient stratification based on easily obtainable biomarkers and clinicopathological features in CLM patients undergoing MWA.