Objective:

To systematically assess the relationship between initial HALP scores and survival outcomes in esophageal cancer (EC) or gastro-esophageal junction cancer (GEC) via a meta-analysis.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• A total of ten cohort studies involving 1,953 patients were analyzed. Patients with low HALP scores demonstrated significantly inferior overall survival (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.53-1.98). Low HALP scores correlated with diminished progression-free survival (HR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.40-2.37). The relationship between HALP scores and survival outcomes remained consistent across various subgroups.

Interpretation:

Reduced baseline HALP scores are independently correlated with inferior overall survival and progression-free survival in EC or GEC patients.

Limitations:

• The meta-analysis is limited to observational studies, which may introduce biases.
• Variability in HALP score thresholds across studies may affect comparability.

Conclusion:

The study indicates that HALP scores may serve as a prognostic biomarker in patients with EC or GEC.

Sources:

• Systematic Review Registration
Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.