Evaluation of an inflammation-based prognostic score (GPS) in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Prediction of outcome in patients with metastatic breast cancer remains problematical. The present study evaluated the value of an inflammation-based score ( Glasgow Prognostic Score, GPS) in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The GPS was constructed as follows: patients with both an elevated C-reactive protein ( 410 mg l(-1)) and hypoalbuminaemia (< 35 g l(-1)) were allocated a score of 2. Patients in whom only one or none of these biochemical abnormalities was present were allocated a score of 1 or 0, respectively. In total, 96 patients were studied. During follow-up 51 patients died of their cancer. On multivariate analysis of the GPS and treatment received, only the GPS (HR 2.26, 95% CI 1.45-3.52, P < 0.001) remained significantly associated with cancer-specific survival. The presence of a systemic inflammatory response ( the GPS) appears to be a useful indicator of poor outcome independent of treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer.