A nomogram based on imaging features and serological indicators for predicting efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer

Abstract Background Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been proven to be a powerful therapeutic choice for the advanced gastric cancer. However, the overall response rate is only 20-40% and there is a lack of sensitive indicators to predict the efficacy of the therapy. In this study, we aimed to construct a nomogram to predict the efficacy of NAC for gastric cancer. Method The study comprised 60 gastric cancer patients who underwent NAC. Patients were classified into effective (TRG 0-2) and ineffective (TRG 3) groups based on the Tumor Regression Grade (TRG). Clinical data were compared between the two groups, and binary logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent factors that could predict efficacy. Then, a new nomogram was created and validated. Result In this study, a total of 33 patients (33/60, 55%) were successfully treated with NAC. Platelet Distribution Width, Adenosine Deaminase, Urea, and clinical T-stage of tumor were independent factors for predicting the efficacy of NAC for gastric cancer treatment (P < 0.05). The consistency index of the constructed Nomogram was 0.923 (95% CI: 0.851-0.995). Conclusion The nomogram developed in this study has a high degree of clinical utility, calibration and discrimination, which can help clinicians accurately predict the efficacy of NAC for gastric cancer patients.