Prospective randomized controlled study of interferon-alpha in preventing hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after medical ablation therapy for primary tumors.
BACKGROUND
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after ablation therapy for primary tumors is common.


METHODS
To evaluate the effectiveness of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in preventing HCC recurrence, 30 eligible patients were randomized into three groups: 11 patients treated with three mega units (MU) of IFN-alpha three times weekly for 24 months (IFN-alpha-continuous group), 9 patients treated with 3 MU of IFN-alpha daily for 10 days every month for 6 months followed by 3 MU of IFN-alpha daily for 10 days every 3 months for a further 18 months (IFN-alpha-intermittent group), and 10 patients who received no IFN-alpha therapy (control group). The three groups were comparable in terms of etiology, demographics, and laboratory data at entry and HCC characteristics.


RESULTS
After a median follow-up of 27 months (range 4-53 months), 9 patients (90%) in the control group and 9 patients (45%) in 2 treatment groups (6 patients in the IFN-alpha-continuous group and 3 patients in the IFN-alpha-intermittent group) developed an HCC recurrence (P = 0.021). Cumulative HCC recurrence rates in the IFN-alpha-intermittent, IFN-alpha-continuous, and control groups were 22.2%, 27.3%, and 40% at the end of 1 year and 33.3%, 54.6%, and 90% at the end of 4 years (P = 0.0375), respectively (control vs. IFN-alpha-intermittent group, P = 0.0123; vs. IFN-alpha-continuous group, P = 0.0822). If both IFN-alpha groups were combined, the cumulative HCC recurrence rate of the patients treated with IFN-alpha and the control group was 25% and 40% at the end of 1 year and 47% and 90% at the end of 4 years, respectively (P = 0.0135).


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggested that IFN-alpha therapy may reduce HCC recurrence after medical ablation therapy for primary tumors.
Lin
Shi-Ming
SM
Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospitaland Chang Gung University, 199 Tung-Hwa North Road, Taipei, Taiwan. lsmpaicyto@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Lin
Chun-Jung
CJ
Hsu
Chao-Wei
CW
Tai
Dar-In
DI
Sheen
I-Shyan
IS
Lin
Deng-Yn
DY
Liaw
Yun-Fan
YF
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*
D016898:Interferon-alpha