The Prognostic Significance of the Fibrinogen-to-Albumin Ratio in Patients With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the potential prognostic value of fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).MethodsThis study used a retrospective design and enrolled 224 patients with TNBC treated between January 2009 and December 2014 at the Henan Provincial People’s Hospital. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine the optimal cut-off value for FAR. The associations between TNBC and clinicopathologic categorical variables by FAR were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. The survival time and survival curve were determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and compared using the Log-rank method. The potential prognostic factors were determined using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. Prognostic nomogram was established on the basis of the multivariate analyses. The calibration curves were used to assess the predictive performance.ResultsThe optimal cut-off value for FAR based on the overall survival (OS) was 0.066, as evaluated by the ROC. The 224 included patients were divided into low FAR group (<0.066) and high FAR group (≥0.066). Univariate and multivariate models shown that FAR was an potential prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS) and OS in patients with TNBC. The median DFS and OS of the low FAR group were longer than those of the high FAR group (χ2 = 15.080, P = 0.0001; χ2 = 13.140, P = 0.0003), including for pre-menopausal patients, and those with pathological stages I + II, and lymph vessel invasion. A nomogram based on the potential prognostic factors was efficient in predicting 3-, and 5-year DFS and OS survival probabilities.ConclusionsThe FAR, which is tested routinely and is characterized by its simplicity, objectivity, and inexpensiveness, is a potential prognostic factor of TNBC, and is potentially applicable in clinical practice.

The Prognostic Value of Serum Albumin to Globulin Ratio in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study

“… 20 Additionally, the fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio has been identified as a potential prognostic factor for both BC 21 and triple-negative patients with BC. 22 The low fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio group demonstrated longer median disease-free survival and OS compared to the high ratio group. 22 However, another study concluded that albumin is not a reliable indicator for predicting disease aggressiveness or recurrence in BC.…”

“… 22 The low fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio group demonstrated longer median disease-free survival and OS compared to the high ratio group. 22 However, another study concluded that albumin is not a reliable indicator for predicting disease aggressiveness or recurrence in BC. 23 Prognostic and treatment-predictive factors in BC can effectively forecast clinical outcomes and aid in treatment decision-making.…”

Prognostic Value of Fibrinogen-to-Albumin Ratio in Coronary Three-Vessel Disease

“…8 Recently, fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR), the proportion of these two indexes, has been reported as a new inflammatory marker that is strongly associated with poor prognosis in a variety of cancers, including esophageal, hepatocellular, and breast cancers. [9][10][11] In addition, the FAR has been strongly correlated with the severity of CAD and with a poor clinical prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease. 12,13 However, there are no data regarding the prognostic value of FAR on clinical outcomes in patients with TVD.…”

“…[22][23][24] Initially, as a recognized marker of inflammation, FAR, which comprised fibrinogen and albumin, was a wellestablished prognostic factor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. [9][10][11] FAR was significantly associated with angiographic no-reflow, angiographic severity and adverse outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing PCI. [25][26][27] Karahan et al showed that FAR was significantly related to SYNTAX score in predicting the severity of CAD in patients with STEMI.…”