An elevated fibrinogen/CRP ratio predicts a remarkable survival advantage in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer

Precision Multiparameter Tracking of Inflammation on Timescales of Hours to Years Using Serial Dried Blood Spots

“…In our results this ratio does appear to distinguish between large and small infection responses when measured at the peak of response ( Fig 5C); however, the ratio changes so rapidly during an infection (up to 20-fold change over the course of a few days as shown in Fig 2B) that sampling at any point off-peak can generate an incorrect prediction. Likewise the ratio of fibrinogen to CRP has generated equivocal results [48][49][50] since it also varies in time due to the difference in expression time courses for the two proteins. Somewhat more success has been achieved using the ratio of CRP to albumin as a long-term outcome predictor in pancreatic cancer [51], surgery in the elderly [52], sepsis [53], and stent restenosis [54], while a similar 3-level index combining CRP and Alb measurements (the Glasgow Prognostic Score [55]; GPS) has achieved more widespread use as an outcome predictor in many cancers.…”

“…In our results this ratio does appear to distinguish between large and small infection responses when measured at the peak of response ( Fig 5C); however, the ratio changes so rapidly during an infection (up to 20-fold change over the course of a few days as shown in Fig 2B) that sampling at any point off-peak can generate an incorrect prediction. Likewise the ratio of fibrinogen to CRP has generated equivocal results [49][50][51] since it also varies in time due to the difference in expression time courses for the two proteins.…”