Association of dLNR with tumor T-cell infiltration and outcome of first-line pembrolizumab for NSCLC

An elevated peripheral blood derived neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (dLNR) is a negative prognostic marker for patients with NSCLC receiving chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Whether dLNR is also associated with clinical outcomes of patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab for NSCLC with a PD-L1 tumor proportion score of ≥ 50% is uncertain. A study at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Massachusetts General Hospital found that among patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab for NSCLC with PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50%, a low peripheral blood derived neutrophil/lympocyte ratio (<2.6) was associated witha distinct immune tumor microenvironment and more favorable outcomes.