Abstract
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and aggressive breast cancer subtype with poor survival. Identifying novel biomarkers is needed to predict survival for this highly progressive form of breast cancer. In this retrospective study, we investigated pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), a novel immune-inflammation-based biomarker which combined the peripheral blood parameters (lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and platelets) in a retrospective cohort of 143 IBC patients. Then we explored the difference of PIV levels in IBC and non-IBC cohorts and the relationship between PIV and clinical characteristics in IBC patients. The survival rates of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in IBC patients were analyzed and univariate and multivariate statistics were used to evaluate the prognostic value. PIV had the most significantly predictive value in IBC patients compared with other peripheral blood parameters. The mean PIV value in IBC patients was significantly higher than non-IBC patients, and the significant difference between the IBC and non-IBC was also observed in subgroups with different clinical stages and pathologic types. Furthermore, PIV performed an extensive systemic immune prognostic factor on both DFS and OS in IBC patients, and PIV was identified an independent prognostic indicator for survival outcome in IBC patients in univariate and multivariate models. Our retrospective study demonstrated the prognostic value of PIV in IBC patients, suggesting the potential application of PIV in IBC treatment outcomes. PIV would also provide some insights into the mechanisms underlying the role of immune and inflammation in IBC development and progression.