Jia-Run Zhang, Rong Qin, Xi Zhang, Xin-Rui Hu
This meta-analysis suggests that elevated IBI might be a robust predictor for poor survival in GI cancer patients and correlates closely with advanced disease features including larger tumor size, lymph node metastases, and lymph-vascular invasion. These findings underscore IBI as a clinically relevant prognostic biomarker for GI malignancies.
BACKGROUND: The Inflammatory Burden Index (IBI) has been identified as a significant prognostic factor in various gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. However, despite extensive research, its prognostic value remains inconsistent. To clarify this association, we conducted a systematic meta-analysis following rigorous methodological standards.
METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases. Ultimately, nine studies were included, covering multiple gastrointestinal cancer subtypes.
RESULTS: Our analysis demonstrated that an elevated IBI was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.38-3.31, p = 0.001), disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.35-2.26, p < 0.001), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.59-2.92, p < 0.001). Furthermore, IBI levels were significantly correlated with several key clinicopathological factors including age, tumor size, lymph node metastases, lymph-vascular invasion, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that elevated IBI might be a robust predictor for poor survival in GI cancer patients and correlates closely with advanced disease features including larger tumor size, lymph node metastases, and lymph-vascular invasion. These findings underscore IBI as a clinically relevant prognostic biomarker for GI malignancies.