Effects of long-term postoperative interferon-alpha therapy on intrahepatic recurrence after resection of hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma. A randomized, controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Interferon therapy decreases the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effects of interferon-alpha on recurrence after resection of hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
University hospital, medical center, and affiliated hospital in Osaka, Japan.


METHODS
30 men were randomly allocated after resection to the interferon-alpha group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15).


METHODS
Patients in the interferon-alpha group received interferon-alpha, 6 MIU intramuscularly daily for 2 weeks, then three times weekly for 14 weeks, and finally twice weekly for 88 weeks.


METHODS
Recurrence rates after resection.


RESULTS
Recurrent tumors were detected in 5 patients in the interferon-alpha group and in 12 control patients. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the interferon-alpha group than in the control group (P = 0.037).


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative interferon-alpha therapy appears to decrease recurrence after resection of hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.
Kubo
S
S
Second Department of Surgery, Osaka City University Medical School, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.
Nishiguchi
S
S
Hirohashi
K
K
Tanaka
H
H
Shuto
T
T
Yamazaki
O
O
Shiomi
S
S
Tamori
A
A
Oka
H
H
Igawa
S
S
Kuroki
T
T
Kinoshita
H
H
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015993:Life Tables; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011182:Postoperative Care
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha