Gastric Cancer Research Reveals New Prognostic Biomarkers

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by researchers at Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in Nanjing, People's Republic of China, has made significant findings in the field of gastric cancer treatment. The research discovered that elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and certain inflammatory markers can predict poorer outcomes for patients undergoing immunotherapy for gastric cancer. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Elevated LDH levels significantly predicted poorer overall survival (HR=2.01, 95%CI:1.72-2.34) and progression-free survival (HR=2.23, 95%CI:1.29-3.66) in gastric cancer patients receiving immunotherapy.
  • High neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) correlated with worse outcomes, while elevated lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) showed protection against poor outcomes.
  • These associations remained consistent across treatment modalities and geographic regions (all Asian studies).
  • The research validates LDH and inflammatory markers as robust, clinically accessible prognostic biomarkers in gastric cancer immunotherapy.
  • The findings support the development of combination strategies targeting metabolic-immune crosstalk to enhance immunotherapy efficacy.
  • The study analyzed 17 studies with a total of 3,842 patients from major databases through March 2024.

Statistics:

  • 17 studies were analyzed from major databases.
  • 3,842 patients were included in the analysis.
  • Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using random-effects models.
  • Study quality was assessed via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
  • Heterogeneity between studies varied, with I² ranging from 0% for LDH to some variation for other markers.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Research on Gastric Cancer Detailed by Researchers at Second Affiliated Hospital (LDH and glycolytic activity as predictors of immunotherapy response in gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis). Immunotherapy Weekly. June 25, 2025; p 3628.
  • Frontiers in Immunology. LDH and glycolytic activity as predictors of immunotherapy response in gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2025,16.
  • Frontiers Media S.A (publisher for Frontiers in Immunology). (http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/immunology)
  • doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1605976 (DOI for the journal article)