Prognostic Significance of the Prognostic Nutritional Index and HALP Score in Patients with Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Ali Aytaç11Department of Medical Oncology, University of Health Sciences, Mehmet Akif İnan Training and Research Hospital, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye
Objectives: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms with variable prognosis, particularly in metastatic disease. The prognostic value of systemic nutritional and inflammatory indices, including the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, remains unclear. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 93 patients with metastatic GIST diagnosed between 2005 and 2023 across four oncology centers in Türkiye. Baseline PNI and HALP scores were calculated at metastatic diagnosis. Associations with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results: PNI and HALP were strongly correlated (p<0.001). An independent association of PNI or HALP with PFS or OS was not demonstrated in multivariable analyses. Regional lymph node involvement and liver metastasis were independently associated with PFS, while regional lymph node involvement was independently associated with OS. PNI ?40 was associated with longer OS in Kaplan–Meier analysis (p=0.046), but not after adjustment. Conclusion: An independent prognostic association of PNI or HALP with survival was not demonstrated in this cohort. Regional lymph node involvement was independently associated with PFS and OS, and liver metastasis with PFS. Keywords: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, HALP score, metastatic cancer, prognosis, prognostic nutritional index, systemic inflammation
Cite This Article
Aytaç A. Prognostic Significance of the Prognostic Nutritional Index and HALP Score in Patients with Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. EJMI. 2026; 10(4): 559-570
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