The HALP score as a prognostic factor in metastatic biliary cancer.

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract cancers are serious diseases and new biomarkers may be useful for the optimal management and prediction of these cases. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, a novel composite marker, in patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer.

METHODS

Patients with biliary tract cancers were analyzed retrospectively. Laboratory values, patient and disease characteristics, and survival rates were evaluated. The diagnostic impact of the HALP score was assessed with regression analyses.

RESULTS

The study included 106 individuals with metastatic biliary tract cancer. Based on the median HALP score, ≥ 2.22 was considered a high score and < 2.22 was considered low. The overall average survival time was found to be 11.4 months. Patients with low HALP scores had median overall survival of 9.5 months, while those with high HALP scores had median overall survival of 15.9 months. In multivariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, CA19-9 level, and HALP score remained significant predictors of overall survival.

CONCLUSION

The HALP score appears to be a useful prognostic marker in patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer.