Letter to the editor: Prognostic significance of systemic inflammatory markers in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

This letter expresses appreciation for the article “Prognostic significance of systemic inflammatory markers in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma” by Horackiewicz et al. in Oral Oncology reports. The study's key finding that serum albumin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are independent prognostic factors for overall survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is lauded for its clinical relevance and robust analysis of a large, diverse cohort. Constructive suggestions for future research include the necessity of prospective external validation, incorporating additional clinical and molecular variables, and leveraging artificial intelligence/machine learning to develop more dynamic and precise prognostic models. This forward-looking perspective aims to further enhance patient stratification and personalized treatment in OPSCC. • Prognostic markers: The study identifies serum albumin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as independent prognostic factors in OPSCC. • Clinical relevance: Routine pre-treatment blood markers analyzed across HPV-positive and negative patients support strong clinical applicability. • Future research: External validation, longitudinal analysis, additional clinical variables, and AI-based dynamic prognostic models are suggested. • Personalized treatment: These markers may enhance risk stratification and enable more individualized treatment strategies for OPSCC patients.