Ren SQ, Huang ZL, Qiu ZX, Cai C. Systemic immune-inflammation index and serum lactoferrin: A novel tool for individualized prognostic assessment in elderly colon cancer. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(5): 114634 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i5.114634]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Chuang Cai, PhD, Assistant Professor, Cancer Research Institute of Zhongshan City, Zhongshan City People's Hospital, No. 2 Sunwen East Road, Zhongshan 528445, Guangdong Province, China. caich6@foxmail.com
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Oncology
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Ren SQ, Huang ZL, Qiu ZX, Cai C. Systemic immune-inflammation index and serum lactoferrin: A novel tool for individualized prognostic assessment in elderly colon cancer. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(5): 114634 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i5.114634]
World J Gastrointest Surg. May 27, 2026; 18(5): 114634 Published online May 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i5.114634
Systemic immune-inflammation index and serum lactoferrin: A novel tool for individualized prognostic assessment in elderly colon cancer
Shu-Qi Ren, Zhuo-Ling Huang, Zu-Xun Qiu, Chuang Cai
Shu-Qi Ren, Zhuo-Ling Huang, Zu-Xun Qiu, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhongshan City Hospital of Integration of TCM & Western Medicine, Zhongshan 528467, Guangdong Province, China
Chuang Cai, Cancer Research Institute of Zhongshan City, Zhongshan City People's Hospital, Zhongshan 528445, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Ren SQ, Huang ZL, Qiu ZX and Cai C made substantial contributions to this manuscript; Ren SQ conceived the review and drafted the initial manuscript; Huang ZL and Qiu ZX were responsible for literature collation; Ren SQ and Cai C edited and finalized the manuscript for submission. All authors reviewed and approved the submitted manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors disclose no financial relationships relevant to this publication.
Corresponding author: Chuang Cai, PhD, Assistant Professor, Cancer Research Institute of Zhongshan City, Zhongshan City People's Hospital, No. 2 Sunwen East Road, Zhongshan 528445, Guangdong Province, China. caich6@foxmail.com
Received: September 24, 2025 Revised: December 15, 2025 Accepted: December 26, 2025 Published online: May 27, 2026 Processing time: 245 Days and 7.2 Hours
Abstract
The global aging trend has significantly increased the incidence of colon cancer among elderly patients, who often present with complex comorbidities and frailty, challenging conventional tumor node metastasis staging. A recent prospective study demonstrated that the combination of the systemic immune-inflammation index and serum lactoferrin serves as a potent, independent prognostic tool for elderly colon cancer post-surgery. By integrating “inflammation-immunity” and “nutrition-immunity” dimensions, this combined model offers superior predictive accuracy for overall and disease-free survival compared to traditional staging. This cost-effective and minimally invasive approach holds substantial promise for postoperative risk stratification and the optimization of perioperative management in primary care and resource-limited settings. Future research should focus on multicenter validation and the integration of molecular markers to further refine individualized management strategies for this vulnerable population.
Core Tip: This prospective study identifies elevated preoperative systemic immune-inflammation index combined with low serum lactoferrin as independent prognostic biomarkers in elderly colon cancer patients. This cost-effective and easily measurable combination reflects both systemic inflammatory burden and immune-nutritional status, enhancing traditional tumor node metastasis staging. It holds substantial potential for individualized postoperative risk stratification in routine clinical practice.
