Cytotoxic lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio predicts colorectal cancer recurrence

A predictive model for recurrence-free survival in colorectal carcinoma was identified through analysis of immune cell populations. Specifically, a lower ratio of cytotoxic lymphocyte to monocytic lineage cells correlated with increased cancer recurrence, outperforming traditional microsatellite status. Gene expression analysis revealed that certain macrophage-related genes were overexpressed in recurrent cases, indicating a protumoral environment. These findings suggest that tailoring immunotherapy strategies in conjunction with cytotoxic T-cell modulation may enhance treatment efficacy for early-stage colorectal cancer patients.