Could the HALP score indicate poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients?

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health problem worldwide. According to estimates for the year 2030, cancer will be the number one cause of death for both genders. CRC is the third most common type of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths. Various parameters are needed to provide information about the course and prognosis of the disease.

Material and methods: The study included 103 patients diagnosed with CRC between 2017 and 2023. The patients' HALP scores were retrospectively analyzed together with clinical data. The relationship between survival times, disease stage, and treatment response was examined.

Results: The obtained data showed that low HALP scores were associated with worse overall survival. Although the HALP score cut-off value was found to be different in various studies conducted on benign or malignant diseases, a low HALP score indicates a poor prognosis. In our study, a HALP score below 23 was found to be associated with low overall survival.

Conclusion: This study suggests that a low HALP score is associated with poor prognosis and could serve as a valuable prognostic marker in the clinical management of CRC patients. However, certain limitations must be considered. While albumin is a marker of systemic inflammation and nutritional status, its specificity is limited in acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, which may impact the prognostic value of the HALP score. Further investigation into the biological mechanisms underlying this relationship and the potential of the HALP score in predicting treatment response would enhance its clinical applicability.