Ronen Tal

Dr. Ronen Tal


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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21 January 2026 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
STShlomit Tamir
Shlomit Tamir
HBHilla Vardi Behar
Hilla Vardi Behar
RTRonen Tal
Ronen Tal
RJRuthy Tal Jasper
Ruthy Tal Jasper
MAMor Armoni
Mor Armoni
GMGal Markel
Gal Markel
Background: Computed tomography (CT)-derived body composition parameters, including skeletal muscle and fat indices, are prognosticators in oncology. Most studies focus on baseline body-composition parameters; however, changes during treatment may provide better prognostic value. Standardized methods for measuring/reporting these parameters remain limited. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who were treated with immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), or melanoma between 2017 and 2024 and had technically adequate baseline and follow-up CT scans. Body composition was analyzed using a novel, fully automated software (CompoCT) for L3 slice selection and segmentation. Body composition indices (e.g., skeletal muscle index [SMI]) were calculated by dividing the cross-sectional area by the patient’s height squared. Results: The cohort included 376 patients (mean [SD] age 66.4 [11.4] years, 67.3% male, 72.6% NSCLC, 14.6% RCC, and 12.8% melanoma). During a median follow-up of 21 months, 220 (58.5%) died. Baseline body composition parameters were not associated with mortality, except for a weak protective effect of higher SMI (HR = 0.98, p = 0.043). In contrast, longitudinal decreases were strongly associated with increased mortality. Relative decreases in SMI (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.07–1.27) or subcutaneous fat index (SFI) (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.07–1.15) significantly increased mortality risk. Multivariate models showed similar concordance (0.65) and identified older age, NSCLC tumor type, and relative decreases in SMI and SFI (per 5% units) as independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Longitudinal decreases in skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat were independent predictors of mortality in immunotherapy-treated patients. Automated CT-based body composition analysis may support treatment decisions during immunotherapy.