Prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and its association with immune cells using systemic inflammatory response index

Abstract

<b>Aim:</b> To explore the prognostic value of the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and peripheral blood T-cell subsets in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship between them. <b>Materials & methods:</b> We treated 352 patients with HCC with sorafenib and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and analyzed SIRI and peripheral blood T cells. <b>Results:</b> SIRI was an independent prognostic factor for patients with HCC receiving systemic therapy. Patients with high SIRI and low baseline peripheral blood T-cell counts showed a poor response to ICIs. SIRI was significantly and negatively correlated with CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell counts. <b>Conclusion:</b> SIRI markers can be employed to noninvasively assess the presence of cancer-promoting inflammation in the tumor microenvironment and predict the efficacy of targeted therapy and immunotherapy.