Evaluation of the Naples Prognostic Score in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
3.1. Analysis at Baseline
3.2. Disease Outcome and Its Association with NPS
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
| AJCC | American Joint Commission on Cancer |
| ALI | advanced lung cancer inflammation index |
| BMI | body mass index |
| CI | confidence interval |
| DFS | disease-free survival |
| HR | hazard ratio |
| LMR | lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio |
| NLR | neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio |
| NPS | Naples Prognostic Score |
| OPSCC | oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma |
| OS | overall survival |
| PNI | prognostic nutritional index |
| SII | systematic immune-inflammation index |
References
- Ferlay, J.; Colombet, M.; Soerjomataram, I.; Mathers, C.; Parkin, D.M.; Piñeros, M.; Znaor, A.; Bray, F. Estimating the global cancer incidence and mortality in 2018: GLOBOCAN sources and methods. Int. J. Cancer 2019, 144, 1941–1953. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Johnson, D.E.; Burtness, B.; Leemans, C.R.; Lui, V.W.Y.; Bauman, J.E.; Grandis, J.R. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Nat. Rev. Dis. Primers 2020, 6, 92. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Paver, E.C.; Currie, A.M.; Gupta, R.; Dahlstrom, J.E. Human papilloma virus related squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck: Diagnosis, clinical implications and detection of HPV. Pathology 2020, 52, 179–191. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Canning, M.; Guo, G.; Yu, M.; Myint, C.; Groves, M.W.; Byrd, J.K.; Cui, Y. Heterogeneity of the Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Immune Landscape and Its Impact on Immunotherapy. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 2019, 7, 52. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Diakos, C.I.; Charles, K.A.; McMillan, D.C.; Clarke, S.J. Cancer-related inflammation and treatment effectiveness. Lancet Oncol. 2014, 15, e493–e503. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- McMillan, D.C. Systemic inflammation, nutritional status and survival in patients with cancer. Curr. Opin. Clin. Nutr. Metab. Care 2009, 12, 223–226. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Fanali, G.; di Masi, A.; Trezza, V.; Marino, M.; Fasano, M.; Ascenzi, P. Human serum albumin: From bench to bedside. Mol. Asp. Med. 2012, 33, 209–290. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Galizia, G.; Lieto, E.; Auricchio, A.; Cardella, F.; Mabilia, A.; Podzemny, V.; Castellano, P.; Orditura, M.; Napolitano, V. Naples Prognostic Score, Based on Nutritional and Inflammatory Status, is an Independent Predictor of Long-term Outcome in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer. Dis. Colon Rectum 2017, 60, 1273–1284. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Yang, Q.; Chen, T.; Yao, Z.; Zhang, X. Prognostic value of pre-treatment Naples prognostic score (NPS) in patients with osteosarcoma. World J. Surg. Oncol. 2020, 18, 24. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Li, Q.; Cong, R.; Wang, Y.; Kong, F.; Ma, J.; Wu, Q.; Ma, X. Naples prognostic score is an independent prognostic factor in patients with operable endometrial cancer: Results from a retrospective cohort study. Gynecol. Oncol. 2021, 160, 91–98. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Li, S.; Wang, H.; Yang, Z.; Zhao, L.; Lv, W.; Du, H.; Che, G.; Liu, L. Naples Prognostic Score as a novel prognostic prediction tool in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for early-stage lung cancer: A propensity score matching study. Surg. Endosc. 2020, 35, 3679–3697. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Nakagawa, N.; Yamada, S.; Sonohara, F.; Takami, H.; Hayashi, M.; Kanda, M.; Kobayashi, D.; Tanaka, C.; Nakayama, G.; Koike, M.; et al. Clinical Implications of Naples Prognostic Score in Patients with Resected Pancreatic Cancer. Ann. Surg. Oncol. 2020, 27, 887–895. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Park, E.; Kang, H.Y.; Jung, Y.S.; Kim, B.; Bui, T.T.; Oh, J.K. Smoking, Alcohol, and Their Interaction in the Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Cancer Med. 2026, 15, e71665. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Osazuwa-Peters, N.; Adjei Boakye, E.; Chen, B.Y.; Tobo, B.B.; Varvares, M.A. Association Between Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Survival, Smoking at Diagnosis, and Marital Status. JAMA Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 2018, 144, 43–50. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Denissoff, A.; Huusko, T.; Ventelä, S.; Niemelä, S.; Routila, J. Exposure to alcohol and overall survival in head and neck cancer: A regional cohort study. Head Neck 2022, 44, 2109–2117. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Schemper, M.; Smith, T.L. A note on quantifying follow-up in studies of failure time. Control Clin. Trials 1996, 17, 343–346. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Qiu, Y.; Zhang, Z.; Chen, Y. Prognostic Value of Pretreatment Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index in Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Front. Oncol. 2021, 11, 537140. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wei, L.; Xie, H.; Yan, P. Prognostic value of the systemic inflammation response index in human malignancy: A meta-analysis. Medicine 2020, 99, e23486. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kheirouri, S.; Alizadeh, M. Prognostic Potential of the Preoperative Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) Score in Predicting Survival of Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review. Adv. Nutr. 2021, 12, 234–250. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hu, B.; Yang, X.R.; Xu, Y.; Sun, Y.F.; Sun, C.; Guo, W.; Zhang, X.; Wang, W.M.; Qiu, S.J.; Zhou, J.; et al. Systemic immune-inflammation index predicts prognosis of patients after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin. Cancer Res. 2014, 20, 6212–6222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Templeton, A.J.; Mcnamara, M.G.; Šeruga, B.; Vera-Badillo, F.E.; Aneja, P.; Ocaña, A.; Leibowitz-Amit, R.; Sonpavde, G.; Knox, J.J.; Tran, B.; et al. Prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in solid tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 2014, 106, dju124. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Guthrie, G.J.K.; Charles, K.A.; Roxburgh, C.S.D.; Horgan, P.G.; McMillan, D.C.; Clarke, S.J. The systemic inflammation-based neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio: Experience in patients with cancer. Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hematol. 2013, 88, 218–230. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Liao, C.K.; Yu, Y.L.; Lin, Y.C.; Hsu, Y.J.; Chern, Y.J.; Chiang, J.M.; You, J.F. Prognostic value of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio in colorectal cancer: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. World J. Surg. Oncol. 2021, 19, 139. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Laukhtina, E.; Pradere, B.; Mori, K.; Schuettfort, V.M.; Quhal, F.; Mostafaei, H.; Sari Motlagh, R.; Aydh, A.; Moschini, M.; Enikeev, D.; et al. Prognostic blood-based biomarkers in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: A systematic review. Urol. Oncol. 2021, 39, 471–479. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Li, S.; Tian, G.; Chen, Z.; Zhuang, Y.; Li, G. Prognostic Role of the Prognostic Nutritional Index in Pancreatic Cancer: A Meta-analysis. Nutr. Cancer 2019, 71, 207–213. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Buzby, G.P.; Mullen, J.L.; Matthews, D.C.; Hobbs, C.L.; Rosato, E.F. Prognostic nutritional index in gastrointestinal surgery. Am. J. Surg. 1980, 139, 160–167. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jafri, S.H.; Shi, R.; Mills, G. Advance lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) at diagnosis is a prognostic marker in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A retrospective review. BMC Cancer 2013, 13, 158. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Jank, B.J.; Kadletz, L.; Schnöll, J.; Selzer, E.; Perisanidis, C.; Heiduschka, G. Prognostic value of advanced lung cancer inflammation index in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Eur. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 2019, 276, 1487–1492. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Zhang, Y.; Chen, B.; Wang, L.; Wang, R.; Yang, X. Systemic immune-inflammation index is a promising noninvasive marker to predict survival of lung cancer: A meta-analysis. Medicine 2019, 98, e13788. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hua, X.; Chen, J.; Wu, Y.; Sha, J.; Han, S.; Zhu, X. Prognostic role of the advanced lung cancer inflammation index in cancer patients: A meta-analysis. World J. Surg. Oncol. 2019, 17, 177. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Anantharaman, D.; Muller, D.C.; Lagiou, P.; Ahrens, W.; Holcátová, I.; Merletti, F.; Kjærheim, K.; Polesel, J.; Simonato, L.; Canova, C.; et al. Combined effects of smoking and HPV16 in oropharyngeal cancer. Int. J. Epidemiol. 2016, 45, 752–761. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Rassouli, A.; Saliba, J.; Castano, R.; Hier, M.; Zeitouni, A.G. Systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognosticators of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Head Neck 2015, 37, 103–110. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Haddad, C.R.; Guo, L.; Clarke, S.; Guminski, A.; Back, M.; Eade, T. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in head and neck cancer. J. Med. Imaging Radiat. Oncol. 2015, 59, 514–519. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Templeton, A.J.; Ace, O.; McNamara, M.G.; Al-Mubarak, M.; Vera-Badillo, F.E.; Hermanns, T.; Šeruga, B.; Ocaña, A.; Tannock, I.F.; Amir, E. Prognostic role of platelet to lymphocyte ratio in solid tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomark. Prev. 2014, 23, 1204–1212. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Loi, S.; Sirtaine, N.; Piette, F.; Salgado, R.; Viale, G.; Van Eenoo, F.; Rouas, G.; Francis, P.; Crown, J.P.; Hitre, E.; et al. Prognostic and predictive value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in a phase III randomized adjuvant breast cancer trial in node-positive breast cancer comparing the addition of docetaxel to doxorubicin with doxorubicin-based chemotherapy: BIG 02-98. J. Clin. Oncol. 2013, 31, 860–867. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- de Ruiter, E.J.; Ooft, M.L.; Devriese, L.A.; Willems, S.M. The prognostic role of tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncoimmunology 2017, 6, e1356148. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wu, Y.Y.; Chang, K.P.; Ho, T.Y.; Chou, W.C.; Hung, S.P.; Fan, K.H.; Chiang, Y.Y.; Chou, Y.C.; Tsang, N.M. Comparative prognostic value of different preoperative complete blood count cell ratios in patients with oral cavity cancer treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Cancer Med. 2021, 10, 1975–1988. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tham, T.; Olson, C.; Khaymovich, J.; Herman, S.W.; Costantino, P.D. The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio as a prognostic indicator in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 2018, 275, 1663–1670. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Li, G.; Da, M.; Zhang, W.; Wu, H.; Ye, J.; Chen, J.; Ma, L.; Gu, N.; Wu, Y.; Song, X. Alteration of serum lipid profile and its prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J. Oral Pathol. Med. 2016, 45, 167–172. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Babson, A.L.; Winnick, T. Protein transfer in tumor-bearing rats. Cancer Res. 1954, 14, 606–611. [Google Scholar]
- Reis, T.G.; da Silva, R.A.W.P.; dos Santos Nascimento, E.; de Bessa Júnior, J.; Oliveira, M.C.; Fava, A.S.; Lehn, C.N. Early postoperative serum albumin levels as predictors of surgical outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Braz. J. Otorhinolaryngol. 2021, 88, S48–S56. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bruixola, G.; Caballero, J.; Papaccio, F.; Petrillo, A.; Iranzo, A.; Civera, M.; Moriana, M.; Bosch, N.; Maroñas, M.; González, I.; et al. Prognostic Nutritional Index as an independent prognostic factor in locoregionally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer. ESMO Open 2018, 3, e000425. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gaudioso, P.; Borsetto, D.; Tirelli, G.; Tofanelli, M.; Cragnolini, F.; Menegaldo, A.; Fabbris, C.; Molteni, G.; Marchioni, D.; Nicolai, P.; et al. Advanced lung cancer inflammation index and its prognostic value in HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A multicentre study. Support. Care Cancer 2021, 29, 4683–4691. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gama, R.R.; Song, Y.; Zhang, Q.; Brown, M.C.; Wang, J.; Habbous, S.; Tong, L.; Huang, S.H.; O’Sullivan, B.; Waldron, J.; et al. Body mass index and prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2017, 39, 1226–1233. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Bai, X.; Cui, C.; Yin, J.; Li, H.; Gong, Q.; Wei, B.; Lu, Y. The association between oral hygiene and head and neck cancer: A meta-analysis. Acta Odontol. Scand. 2023, 81, 374–395. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Schimansky, S.; Lang, S.; Beynon, R.; Penfold, C.; Davies, A.; Waylen, A.; Thomas, S.; Pring, M.; Pawlita, M.; Waterboer, T.; et al. Association between comorbidity and survival in head and neck cancer: Results from Head and Neck 5000. Head Neck 2019, 41, 1053–1062. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]




| n = 140 | |
| Gender | |
| Female | 30 (21%) |
| Male | 110 (79%) |
| Age at diagnosis | 60.6 |
| (Q1–Q3) | (54–65) |
| T-stage | |
| T1 | 31 (22% |
| T2 | 78 (56%) |
| T3 | 17 (12%) |
| T4 | 14 (10%) |
| N-stage | n = 81 |
| N0 | 22 (27%) |
| N1 | 18 (22%) |
| N2a | 6 (7%) |
| N2b | 26 (32%) |
| N2c | 8 (10%) |
| N3 | 1 (1%) |
| n = 55 | |
| pN0 (HPV+) | 5 (9%) |
| pN1 (HPV+) | 25 (45%) |
| pN2 (HPV+) | 23 (42%) |
| pN3 (HPV+) | 2 (4%) |
| TNM-Staging | |
| I | 23 (16.4%) |
| II | 42 (30%) |
| III | 21 (15%) |
| IVA | 53 (37.9%) |
| IVB | 1 (0.7%) |
| HPV | n = 136 |
| − | 81 (60%) |
| + | 55 (40%) |
| Primum | |
| Hypopharynx | 18 (13%) |
| Larynx | 12 (9%) |
| Oral Cavity | 30 (21%) |
| Oropharynx | 80 (57%) |
| Alcohol consumption | n = 125 |
| Non-drinker | 83 (66%) |
| Active drinker | 42 (34%) |
| Smoking status | n = 135 |
| Non/Ex-Smoker | 58 (43%) |
| Smoker | 77 (57%) |
| Therapy | |
| surgery | 8 (6%) |
| +radiotherapy | 108 (77%) |
| +radiochemotherapy | 24 (17%) |
| Univariable | Multivariable | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HR | 95% CI | p-Value | HR | 95% CI | p-Value | |
| Overall survival | ||||||
| Naples score group 1 vs. 0 | 1.809 | 0.543–6.029 | 0.334 | 1.529 | 0.449–5.201 | 0.496 |
| Naples score group 2 vs. 0 | 2.490 | 0.711–8.713 | 0.153 | 1.897 | 0.531–6.768 | 0.324 |
| albumin low vs. high | 1.525 | 0.800–2.905 | 0.199 | 1.241 | 0.625–2.463 | 0.537 |
| cholesterol low vs. high | 1.014 | 0.528–1.946 | 0.966 | 1.069 | 0.540–2.114 | 0.848 |
| NLR high vs. low | 2.271 | 1.225–4.211 | 0.009 | 2.558 | 1.329–4.922 | 0.005 |
| LMR low vs. High | 0.952 | 0.454–1.955 | 0.897 | 0.754 | 0.350–1.623 | 0.471 |
| Disease-free survival | ||||||
| Naples score group 1 vs. 0 | 0.960 | 0.398–2.315 | 0.929 | 0.805 | 0.327–1.980 | 0.638 |
| Naples score group 2 vs. 0 | 1.546 | 0.612–3.901 | 0.356 | 1.209 | 0.466–3.139 | 0.695 |
| albumin low vs. high | 1.218 | 0.679–2.186 | 0.507 | 1.112 | 0.607–2.038 | 0.729 |
| cholesterol low vs. high | 1.018 | 0.574–1.805 | 0.950 | 1.108 | 0.610–2.012 | 0.736 |
| NLR high vs. low | 2.464 | 1.425–4-259 | 0.001 | 2.439 | 1.382–4.306 | 0.002 |
| LMR low vs. High | 0.878 | 0.460–1.674 | 0.693 | 0.691 | 0.354–1.342 | 0.278 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
Share and Cite
Wissa, M.; Lein, A.; Jank, B.J.; Heiduschka, G.; Kadletz-Wanke, L.; Brkic, F.F. Evaluation of the Naples Prognostic Score in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Nutrients 2026, 18, 1196. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18081196
Wissa M, Lein A, Jank BJ, Heiduschka G, Kadletz-Wanke L, Brkic FF. Evaluation of the Naples Prognostic Score in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Nutrients. 2026; 18(8):1196. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18081196
Chicago/Turabian StyleWissa, Magdalena, Alexander Lein, Bernhard J. Jank, Gregor Heiduschka, Lorenz Kadletz-Wanke, and Faris F. Brkic. 2026. "Evaluation of the Naples Prognostic Score in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma" Nutrients 18, no. 8: 1196. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18081196
APA StyleWissa, M., Lein, A., Jank, B. J., Heiduschka, G., Kadletz-Wanke, L., & Brkic, F. F. (2026). Evaluation of the Naples Prognostic Score in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Nutrients, 18(8), 1196. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18081196

