Meta-analysis of preoperative CALLY index for predicting the prognosis of cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of the CALLY index in cancer prognosis via systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane were searched up to November 2024. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), and meta-analysis was performed with STATA 17.0. RESULTS: Among 21 cohort studies,the findings indicated that, regarding overall survival (OS), a low CALLY index was correlated with a 113% elevated likelihood of all-cause mortality compared to those with a higher CALLY index (risk ratio [RR] = 0.47, 95% confidence intervals [95%CI]: 0.42-0.53). An 85% elevated risk of disease-free survival (DFS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) was observed in individuals with a low CALLY index (pooled RR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.46-0.63). Moreover, a lower CALLY index was correlated with a significantly greater tumor burden (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.64, 95%CI: -0.76-0.52). The stage-specific analysis demonstrated that a low CALLY index significantly increased the risk of cancer progression by 54% in individuals at stage II (RR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.43-0.98) and by 67% in individuals at stage III (RR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.43-0.86). CONCLUSION: The CALLY index independently predicts adverse cancer outcomes.