In addition to the association with circulating platelet counts per se, another study identified an elevated pre-treatment platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, as well as low hemoglobin and albumin levels and an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level, as being significant independent risk factors for a shorter OS in patients with stage IV NSCLC with malignant pleural effusion [14]. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is non-small cell lung carcinoma.