Prognostic Evaluation of Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet (HALP) Score and Hematological Indices in Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma.

in International journal of laboratory hematology by Pusem Patir, Kubra Cerci, Erdal Kurtoglu

TLDR

  • The study looked at how a marker called HALP score, which measures inflammation and nutrition, could help predict the outcome for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). The study found that certain values of HALP score and other markers (NLR, LMR, and PLR) were associated with better outcomes in early-stage patients. However, these associations were not significant for overall survival or disease-free survival. The study suggests that HALP score and these markers could be useful prognostic tools in cHL, where immunotherapy treatments have led to better outcomes. However, more research is needed to validate these findings and explore their potential in predicting response to immunotherapy.

Abstract

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) constitutes 10% of all lymphoma diagnoses and accounts for 5% of lymphoma-related deaths. Accurate prognostication in HL remains crucial, particularly given that 10%-20% of patients may receive either insufficient or excessive treatment. This study investigates the effect of hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, which is a marker of inflammation status and nutrition, at the time of diagnosis for the patients with HL on prognosis. A total of 147 patients diagnosed with cHL were included in the study, and their data were analyzed retrospectively. The significance of the HALP score and hematological indices [neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)] as predictors of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated. Patients were grouped according to median values for the HALP score and hematological indices. High HALP score (p = 0.034), low NLR (p = 0.033), high LMR (p = 0.003), and low PLR (p = 0.014) were statistically significant in the early-stage favorable group. DFS and OS were not statistically significant according to the HALP score NLR, LMR, and PLR groups. The need for readily applicable, reliable prognostic markers in cHL, where immunotherapy treatments have led to significantly improved survival outcomes, remains persistent.

Overview

  • The study investigates the effect of HALP score, a marker of inflammation status and nutrition, on prognosis in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).
  • The study includes 147 patients diagnosed with cHL and their data were analyzed retrospectively. The significance of HALP score and hematological indices (NLR, LMR, and PLR) as predictors of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated. Patients were grouped according to median values for the HALP score and hematological indices. High HALP score, low NLR, high LMR, and low PLR were statistically significant in the early-stage favorable group. DFS and OS were not statistically significant according to the HALP score NLR, LMR, and PLR groups. The need for readily applicable, reliable prognostic markers in cHL remains persistent.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study compared the outcomes observed under different experimental conditions or interventions detailed in the study. The HALP score and hematological indices (NLR, LMR, and PLR) were evaluated as predictors of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).
  • The study identified that high HALP score, low NLR, high LMR, and low PLR were statistically significant in the early-stage favorable group. DFS and OS were not statistically significant according to the HALP score NLR, LMR, and PLR groups.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings suggest that HALP score and hematological indices (NLR, LMR, and PLR) could be useful prognostic markers in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL).
  • The study highlights the need for readily applicable, reliable prognostic markers in cHL, where immunotherapy treatments have led to significantly improved survival outcomes. Future research should focus on validating these findings in larger cohorts and exploring the potential of these markers in predicting response to immunotherapy.
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