ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Research background
The combination index of hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) has been reported as associated with prognosis in many cancers but not yet in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of preoperative HALP in resected GIST patients.
 
Research motivation
At present, the risk of GIST is mainly based on postoperative pathological indicators. The motivation for this article involved the need to find a convenient, non-invasive, preoperative indicator that will assist in prognostic prediction of GIST.
 
Research objectives
To investigate the prognostic value of HALP in GIST patients.
 
Research methods
This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with GIST using propensity scores matching to explore the relationship between HALP, postoperative clinicopathological data, and the prognostic significance of HALP.
 
Research results
HALP can be conveniently used preoperatively to assess risk and prognosis of GIST patients. However, the effect of improving nutritional status or immune-inflammatory status on the prognosis of GIST is still unclear and requires further confirmation through clinical studies.
 
Research conclusions
HALP was associated with postoperative pathological data (i.e. tumor site, tumor size, mitosis, Ki67, National Institutes of Health (NIH) risk category) and adjuvant therapy. Furthermore, HALP was an independent risk factor for recurrence-free survival in GIST patients who underwent radical resection. This study is the first to report the prognostic significance of HALP in GIST. In this study, HALP was found to be an independent risk factor for GIST patients with R0 resection. Consistent with reports of HALP in other tumors, HALP is also associated with prognosis in GIST. HALP was also found to be an independent risk factor for GIST patients with R0 resection. In clinical practice, convenient and non-invasive preoperative HALP may be used to assist in the prediction of risk and prognosis for GIST patients.
 
Research perspectives
Through this retrospective cohort study, we found the prognostic significance of HALP in GIST. This study did not evaluate other clinicopathological factors related to prognosis, especially gene mutation status. Subsequent studies should employ a prospective cohort method and incorporate additional factors to further explore the prognostic significance of HALP in GIST patients.
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