Abstract / Description
BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer therapy, yet the heterogeneity of treatment responses underscores the need for reliable prognostic biomarkers. The albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR), an indicator of systemic inflammation and nutritional status, has emerged as a potential predictor of ICI outcomes. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the prognostic significance of AGR in patients receiving ICIs through a meta-analysis and to validate the findings in a single-centre cohort.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies published prior to June 6, 2025. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease control rate (DCR). In addition, a retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 74 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with ICIs at our institution to assess the prognostic value of baseline AGR in relation to OS and PFS.ResultsSeven studies encompassing 1,460 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Higher pretreatment AGR was significantly associated with improved OS (HR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.30-0.66; p