Effects of a 24-week Course of Interferon-alpha Therapy After Curative Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus-associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Overview

Journal World J Gastroenterol

Publisher Baishideng Publishing Group

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2007 Sep 20

PMID 17879404

Citations 13

Authors

Soo Cheol Jeong

Hiroshi Aikata

Yoshio Katamura

Takahiro Azakami

Tomokazu Kawaoka

Hiromi Saneto

Kiminori Uka

Nami Mori

Shintaro Takaki

Hideaki Kodama

Koji Waki

Michio Imamura

Hiroo Shirakawa

Yoshiiku Kawakami

Shoichi Takahashi

Kazuaki Chayama

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: To assess whether a 24-wk course of interferon (IFN) could prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and worsening of liver function in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients after receiving curative treatment for primary HCC.

Methods: Outcomes in 42 patients with HCV infection treated with IFN-alpha, after curative treatment for primary HCC (IFN group), were compared with 42 matched curatively treated historical controls not given IFN (non-IFN group).

Results: Although the rate of initial recurrence did not differ significantly between IFN group and non-IFN group (0%, 44%, 61%, and 67% vs 4.8%, 53%, 81%, and 87% at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years, P = 0.153, respectively), IFN group showed a lower rate than the non-IFN group for second recurrence (0%, 10.4%, 28%, and 35% vs 0%, 30%, 59%, and 66% at 1, 3, 5 and 7 years, P = 0.022, respectively). Among the IFN group, patients with sustained virologic response (SVR) were less likely to have a second HCC recurrence than IFN patients without an SVR, or non-IFN patients. Multivariate analysis identified the lack of SVR as the only independent risk factor for a second recurrence, while SVR and Child-Pugh class A independently favored overall survival.

Conclusion: Most intrahepatic recurrences of HCV-related HCC occurred during persistent viral infection. Eradication of HCV is essential for the prevention of HCC recurrence and improvement of survival.

Citing Articles

Impact of viral eradication by direct-acting antivirals on clinical outcomes after curative treatment for hepatitis C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

Nagaoki Y, Yamaoka K, Fujii Y, Uchikawa S, Fujino H, Ono A Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2025; 18:17562848251324094.

PMID: 40078327 PMC: 11898033. DOI: 10.1177/17562848251324094.

Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence: Predictors and management.

Abdelhamed W, El-Kassas M Liver Res. 2025; 7(4):321-332.

PMID: 39958776 PMC: 11791921. DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2023.11.004.

Tertiary Prevention of HCC in Chronic Hepatitis B or C Infected Patients.

Teng W, Liu Y, Jeng W, Su C Cancers (Basel). 2021; 13(7).

PMID: 33917345 PMC: 8038691. DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071729.

Influence of Interferon-free Direct-acting Antiviral Therapy on Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence: A Landmark Time Analysis and Time-dependent Extended Cox Proportional Hazards Model Analysis.

Miuma S, Miyamoto J, Taura N, Fukushima M, Sasaki R, Haraguchi M Intern Med. 2020; 59(7):901-907.

PMID: 32238660 PMC: 7184089. DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.3382-19.

Hepatitis C Antiviral Therapy In Patients With Successfully Treated Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Dancing With Wolves.

Kassas M, Tawheed A, Eltabbakh M, Kaseb A J Hepatocell Carcinoma. 2019; 6:183-191.

PMID: 31819865 PMC: 6879003. DOI: 10.2147/JHC.S206668.

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