Prognostic Value of CRP–Albumin–Lymphocyte (CALLY) Index in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Breast Cancer

Abstract

Jiaru Zhuang,1,* Shan Wang,2,* Yuan Wang,2 Yibo Wu,2 Renjing Hu1 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, People’s Republic of China; 2Human Reproductive and Genetic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Renjing Hu, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangnan University Medical Center, 68 Zhongshan Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214000, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Yibo Wu, Human Reproductive and Genetic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 1000 Hefeng Road, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214000, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: According to the 2023 global cancer data, breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor among women in the world. Its occurrence and development is influenced by inflammation, nutrition, and immune status. Therefore, this study combines C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and lymphocyte, which can reflect the above states, to form the CRP-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index, an indicator to evaluate its relationship with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in breast cancer patients.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data of 174 patients with breast cancer. The optimal cutoff for the preoperative CALLY index was identified by considering the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve; subsequently, the discriminatory ability of the cutoff was determined. The effect of the CALLY index on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. The CALLY index was calculated as: (Albumin × Lymphocyte)/(CRP × 104).Results: The cut-off value of the CALLY index was determined at 2.285. With a cut-off value of 2.285, patients were divided into two groups: those with CALLY < 2.285 and those with CALLY ≥ 2.285. CALLY Index ≥ 2.285 was associated with better survival outcomes. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that TNM stage and CALLY index were prognostic factors that affected OS and DFS.Conclusion: The CALLY index is a new prognostic biomarker for breast cancer patients after surgery. This new CALLY index allows for suitable patients with a poor prognosis to receive postoperative adjuvant therapy.Keywords: breast cancer, prognosis, CALLY index, survival

Keywords

• breast cancer
• prognosis
• cally index
• survival