The association between the HALP score and survival in metastatic breast cancer patients treated with antibody–drug conjugates

Abstract

Objective: The hemoglobin–albumin–lymphocyte–platelet (HALP) score is an inflammation and nutrition -based biomarker in various solid tumors; however, its prognostic value in patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association between HALP score and overall survival (OS) in this patient population.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included female patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with ADCs between December 2017 and October 2024. The HALP score was calculated from baseline hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet values. Patients were categorized into low and high HALP groups according to the median HALP value. Survival was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method, with associations assessed through univariate and multivariate Cox regression models.

Results: A total of 111 female patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with ADCs were included in the analysis (median age, 51 years). The median HALP score was 30.1, and patients were stratified into low- and high-HALP groups. Overall survival was significantly shorter in the low-HALP group compared with the high-HALP group (median OS, 31.0 vs 76.0 months; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, a low HALP score remained independently associated with shorter OS (HR 3.03, 95% CI 1.67–5.47; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The HALP score is an independent prognostic marker for overall survival in women with metastatic breast cancer treated with ADCs and may serve as a simple tool for risk stratification in this setting.