Background and Objectives: Despite advances in immunotherapy, predicting survival outcomes in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains challenging. Inflammatory and nutritional indices such as the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and Inflammatory Burden Index (IBI) have emerged as promising prognostic markers associated with overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a total of 196 NSCLC patients treated with second-line nivolumab across multiple centers in Turkey. Of these, 101 patients aged ≥ 65 years were included in the elderly subgroup analysis. PNI, GNRI (in patients aged ≥ 65), and inflammation-based indices were calculated using pre-treatment laboratory values. ROC analysis determined optimal cut-off values. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models were used for survival analysis. Results: Median overall survival (OS) was 12.9 months in the full cohort and 12.1 months in patients aged ≥ 65. In univariate analysis, ECOG performance status (0–1), lower NLR (<3.3), lower PLR (<196.8), higher PNI (≥45.2), and higher GNRI (≥98.0) were significantly associated with longer OS. However, in the multivariate analysis adjusted for ECOG PS, NLR, PLR, and GNRI, only PNI remained an independent prognostic factor for OS in both the overall cohort [HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.26–0.92; p = 0.02] and elderly patients [HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24–0.84; p = 0.01]. PNI is an independent prognostic biomarker for OS in NSCLC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Conclusions: These findings support incorporating simple, cost-effective nutritional indices into clinical decision-making, particularly in elderly patients with NSCLC.

Background: Cancer patients are in the high-risk group of getting COVID-19 infection and experiencing a severe course. Anxiety of cancer patients about how they pass this pandemic process and how changes in the health system would influence their treatment has increased together with the COVID-19 pandemic. Influence of COVID-19 on psychology of cancer patients is also a subject needed to be investigated as well as its course and prognosis. Thus, it is aimed to measure fear levels of cancer patients by a validated scale. Patients accepting to fill in the validated Fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19S) scale were included in our study. Higher scores obtained from the scale means high level of COVID-19 fear was experienced. Results: A total of 66.8% of 486 patients expressed that they are very afraid of coronavirus, and 66.3% expressed that they fear from losing their lives due to coronavirus. The level of fear in the patient group having adjuvant therapy has been found statistically to be significantly higher compared with groups having neoadjuvant and metastatic/palliative therapy (p: 0.004). Conclusions: Because the increase of level of fear may lead to vital outcomes such as weakening of immune system, disturbance of treatment compliance, and worsening of prognosis, a psychological approach to cancer patients is compulsory in order to prevent fear of COVID-19 infection.

Clinical studies aimed at identifying effective and simple prognostic markers for gastric cancer are still being carried out. Inflammatory prognostic index (IPI) is being recognized as a promising prognostic marker in patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. To evaluate the prognostic utility of IPI in stage 4 gastric cancer. A total of 152 patients with stage 4 gastric cancer, whose laboratory parameters, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) data could be accessed, were evaluated. Kaplan Meier analysis was used for survival analyses. Hazard ratios were expressed with 95% CI values. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Study was approved by the Manisa Celal Bayar University’s Non-Invasive Clinical Research Ethics Committee (approval No. E-85252386-050.04.04-49119, date: 22.03.2021). We confirm that all methods were performed in accordance with relevant named guidelines and regulations. Median age at diagnosis was 63 years (range: 32–88). The number of patients who received first-line chemotherapy was 129 (84.9%). Median PFS with first-line treatment was 5.3 months, while it was 3.3 months with second-line treatment. Median OS was 9.4 months. Median IPI score was 22.2. We evaluated IPI score for its value in detecting survival status with ROC analysis and identified an IPI cut-off score of 14.6. Low IPI score was significantly associated with longer PFS and OS compared to high IPI (PFS in high vs. low IPI, 3.6 vs. 7 months; p < 0.001) (OS in high vs. low IPI, 6.6 vs. 14.2 months; p < 0.001). IPI score can be an independent prognostic index that is inexpensive, easy to access and evaluate for patients with metastatic gastric cancer, and may be useful in predicting survival in daily practice.

Background: The Meet-URO score combines the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and bone metastasis status. Although developed in immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) cohorts, its performance among patients receiving first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy is uncertain. Methods: We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 301 adults with histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with first-line TKI monotherapy (sunitinib, pazopanib, or cabozantinib) between 2008 and 2025 across five tertiary centers in Turkey. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Meet-URO was calculated at treatment start and analyzed as prespecified risk strata (0–4, 5–8, 9). Kaplan–Meier estimates, Cox models, and Harrell’s C-index assessed discrimination, with bootstrapped 95% CIs. Results: Median follow-up was 40 months; median OS (mOS) was 25 months (95% CI, 21–29) and median progression-free survival was 10 months (95% CI, 8–12). Meet-URO stratified OS: 41 months for scores 0–4, 21 months for 5–8, and 7 months for 9 (log-rank p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, Meet-URO remained independently prognostic (HR 1.73 for 5–8 vs. 0–4; HR 3.57 for 9 vs. 0–4; both p < 0.001). Discrimination was modest (C-index 0.722) and slightly lower than IMDC (C-index 0.745). NLR ≥ 3.2 was associated with inferior OS (19 vs. 37 months; p < 0.001). Bone metastasis was not significantly associated with OS (p = 0.27). Conclusions: Meet-URO is a valid prognostic tool for mRCC patients treated with first-line TKIs and identifies an ultra-high-risk subgroup (score = 9) with poor survival. While not superior to IMDC, Meet-URO may offer complementary risk information to support clinical monitoring and trial referral, particularly in settings where ICI combinations are restricted.

Background and Objectives: Systemic inflammation plays a critical role in cancer progression and prognosis. The Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), a novel marker integrating neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts, has been suggested as a prognostic indicator in various malignancies. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of SIRI in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 147 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer who received first-line chemotherapy or best supportive care between 2010 and 2024. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The median OS and PFS were 7 and 4 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that ECOG ≥ 2 (HR: 2.094, p = 0.019), liver metastasis (HR: 2.039, p = 0.027), and each unit increase in SIRI (HR: 1.156, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of poorer OS. Patients with SIRI > 1.86 had significantly shorter OS compared to those with SIRI ≤ 1.86 (median OS: 4 vs. 9 months, p = 0.019). Conclusions: SIRI is an independent prognostic marker for survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients undergoing first-line and subsequent lines of chemotherapy. These inflammation-based markers are simple, cost-effective tools that could be integrated into routine clinical practice to aid in risk assessment and treatment planning.