Comparative prognostic performance of CARWL and Naples prognostic score in stage IIIC non-small cell lung cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

Prognostic stratification remains challenging in patients with stage IIIC non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), and the relative performance of host-related prognostic indices in this setting is unclear. The CARWL (C-reactive Protein, Albumin, and Recent Weight Loss) score and the Naples prognostic score (NPS) have each been proposed as prognostic tools, but direct comparisons are lacking. This study compared their prognostic performance. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 795 patients with stage IIIC NSCLC treated with CCRT between 2010 and 2020. Patients were stratified into three prognostic groups according to CARWL and NPS. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint; progression-free survival (PFS) and locoregional PFS (LRPFS) were secondary endpoints. Survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression. Results: Both CARWL and NPS significantly stratified OS, PFS, and LRPFS (all p