Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio: An Emerging Marker of the Relationships between the Immune System and Diseases

By Agata Buonacera, B. Stancanelli, M. Colaci, L. Malatino. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022

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Over the last 10 years, the evaluation of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an emerging marker of diseases has become a compelling field of bio-medical research. Although a precise and unique cut-off value has not been yet found, its role as a flag of immune system homeostasis is well established. NLR has a well-known prognostic value and independently correlates with mortality in the general population and in several specific subsets of disease (sepsis, pneumonia, COVID-19, cancer, etc.). Moreover, NLR was recently considered as part of the decision-making processes concerning the admission/recovery of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. This review aims to provide an overview of the main use of this biomarker, focusing on the pathophysiology and the molecular basis underlying its central role as a reliable mirror of inflammatory status and adaptive immunity.

Subfields: Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Oncology

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/626dbee672332e35140d39ad77cb267e522378dd