C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte index and survival outcomes in renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- 1Department of Pharmacy, Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
- 2Department of Pharmacy, Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
Abstract
Background: The C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index is a composite biomarker integrating systemic inflammation, nutritional status, and immune competence. Although its prognostic value has been investigated in several malignancies, its clinical relevance in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains incompletely defined. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the CALLY index and survival outcomes in patients with RCC.
Methods: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched from database inception to August 2026 for cohort studies evaluating the prognostic value of the CALLY index in RCC. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were extracted and pooled using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the clinical populations represented by localized/clear cell RCC (ccRCC) and metastatic/mixed-histology RCC.
Results: Five retrospective cohort studies comprising 587 patients were included. Across clinically heterogeneous RCC populations, a low CALLY index was associated with worse PFS (pooled HR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.82–4.58; I² = 24.7%) and OS (pooled HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.61–3.35; I² = 0%). The 95% prediction interval included the null value for PFS (0.84–9.98) but not for OS (1.30–4.17). Subgroup analyses comparing localized/ccRCC with metastatic/mixed-histology populations did not identify statistically significant differences between subgroups for PFS or OS.
Conclusion: A low CALLY index was associated with poorer PFS and OS across the heterogeneous RCC populations represented in the available retrospective studies. These findings support the potential role of CALLY as an adjunctive prognostic biomarker but do not establish stage-specific or treatment-specific effects. Prospective multicenter studies using standardized measurement protocols and externally validated cut-offs are needed to determine its incremental prognostic value and clinical utility.
Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261484115 , identifier CRD420261484115.
Related
- Association between the preoperative C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte index and prognosis after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma
- Prognostic value of the preoperative C-reactive protein-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma
- Lymphocyte to C-reactive protein ratio and improved prognostication of renal cell carcinoma: machine learning-based analysis
- Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 cohorts through June 30, 2026
- Association between antibiotic exposure and survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BibTeX
@article{wei2026creactive,
title = {{C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte index and survival outcomes in renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis}},
author = {Yu Wei and Lingyan Mai and Xiuli Zhang and Yingying Zhang and Yuxuan Lin},
journal = {Frontiers in Oncology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fonc.2026.1994071},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1994071/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte index and survival outcomes in renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Yu Wei
AU - Lingyan Mai
AU - Xiuli Zhang
AU - Yingying Zhang
AU - Yuxuan Lin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Frontiers in Oncology
DO - 10.3389/fonc.2026.1994071
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1994071/full
AB - Background: The C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index is a composite biomarker integrating systemic inflammation, nutritional status, and immune competence. Although its prognostic value has been investigated in several malignancies, its clinical relevance in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains incompletely defined. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the CALLY index and survival outcomes in patients with RCC. Methods: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched from database inception to August 2026 for cohort studies evaluating the prognostic value of the CALLY index in RCC. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were extracted and pooled using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the clinical populations represented by localized/clear cell RCC (ccRCC) and metastatic/mixed-histology RCC. Results: Five retrospective cohort studies comprising 587 patients were included. Across clinically heterogeneous RCC populations, a low CALLY index was associated with worse PFS (pooled HR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.82–4.58; I² = 24.7%) and OS (pooled HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.61–3.35; I² = 0%). The 95% prediction interval included the null value for PFS (0.84–9.98) but not for OS (1.30–4.17). Subgroup analyses comparing localized/ccRCC with metastatic/mixed-histology populations did not identify statistically significant differences between subgroups for PFS or OS. Conclusion: A low CALLY index was associated with poorer PFS and OS across the heterogeneous RCC populations represented in the available retrospective studies. These findings support the potential role of CALLY as an adjunctive prognostic biomarker but do not establish stage-specific or treatment-specific effects. Prospective multicenter studies using standardized measurement protocols and externally validated cut-offs are needed to determine its incremental prognostic value and clinical utility. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261484115 , identifier CRD420261484115.
SN - 2234-943X
ER -