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

Int J Lab Hematol. 2025 Feb;47(1):68-78. doi: 10.1111/ijlh.14379. Epub 2024 Oct 10.

Abstract

Introduction: 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.

Materials and methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: The need for readily applicable, reliable prognostic markers in cHL, where immunotherapy treatments have led to significantly improved survival outcomes, remains persistent.

Keywords: HALP score; Hodgkin lymphoma; disease‐free survival; overall survival; prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Blood Platelets* / metabolism
  • Blood Platelets* / pathology
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Hemoglobins* / analysis
  • Hodgkin Disease* / blood
  • Hodgkin Disease* / diagnosis
  • Hodgkin Disease* / mortality
  • Hodgkin Disease* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Lymphocytes* / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Count
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hemoglobins