Prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic active hepatitis C and cirrhosis.
In a prospective randomised controlled study, 90 patients with chronic active hepatitis C and compensated cirrhosis were assigned symptomatic treatment or interferon alfa (IFN-alpha). We report data on decompensation, detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality rates. IFN-alpha gave a sustained response in only a small proportion of patients, but worsening of compensated cirrhosis was prevented and development of hepatocellular carcinoma was inhibited, increasing the survival rate. The risk ratio of IFN-alpha versus symptomatic treatment decreased by 0.250 for progression to Child-Pugh grade B, 0.256 for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, and 0.135 for a fatal outcome.
Nishiguchi
S
S
Shiomi
S
S
Nakatani
S
S
Takeda
T
T
Fukuda
K
K
Tamori
A
A
Habu
D
D
Tanaka
T
T
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha