PROGNOSTIC value of specific visceral protein ratios in patients with colon cancer can offer healthcare professionals a novel approach to estimating progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in affected patients. A new study identified three visceral protein ratios, albumin-globulin (AGR), prealbumin-globulin (PGR), and albumin-prealbumin-globulin (APGR), as independent predictors of colon cancer prognosis, with APGR demonstrating the strongest correlation with patient outcomes.
The research was conducted on 705 people with colon cancer at Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, China, analyzing the predictive power of AGR, PGR, and APGR through serological data and tumor characteristics. The study found that low levels of these protein ratios were significantly associated with decreased PFS and OS, while higher levels indicated a higher risk of recurrence and mortality.
Specifically, an increase in APGR was linked to improved survival outcomes, outperforming both AGR and PGR as a prognostic marker.
Statistical analysis revealed that each unit increase in AGR, PGR, and APGR corresponded to a reduction in mortality risk by 16.9%, 15.1%, and 19.1%, respectively. Furthermore, APGR’s accuracy in predicting PFS and OS suggests that it could serve as a vital marker in stratifying patient risk and informing clinical decision-making.
The findings have important implications for patient monitoring and long-term care in colon cancer, a disease known for its high mortality and rising incidence among individuals over 45. Despite limitations such as the single-center, retrospective design, the study suggests that integrating these protein ratios into clinical assessments could enhance prognosis accuracy.
Reference: Xie H et al. Prognostic value of visceral protein ratios in patients with colon cancer. Heliyon. 2024;10(20):e39326.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
