Interferon-alfa treatment may reduce the occurrence of liver carcinogenesis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
The aim of our study was assessment of the long-term influence of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) treatment on the serum marker of the hepatocarcinogenesis level-alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-in patients (pts) with chronic viral hepatitis (cvh) B and C. Thirty seven pts (21 with HCV and 16 with HBV infection (20 women, 17 men, aged 24-62) were included in the study. Pts were administered IFN-alpha in the dose of 9-15 MU per week, thrice a week, for 16 weeks (HBV group) or 24-52 weeks (HCV group). Effectiveness of IFN-alpha treatment was evaluated on the basis of the HBV DNA and HCV RNA level in blood. The serum AFP values were determined before and 4-7 years after IFN-alpha treatment. The baseline serum AFP level was increased in 26 out of 37 pts (70%) (14/21 from HCV group; 12/16 from HBV group). After the 4-7 years' follow-up it remained increased only in 2 out of 37 pts (5%). AFP values significantly decreased after IFN-alpha treatment (17.58+/-19.09 IU/ml vs 7.95+/-21.78 IU/ml; p< 0.05; normal range 0-5 IU/ml) in both HBV and HCV, responder and non- responder groups. These results support the hypothesis that IFN-alpha therapy could diminish the risk of liver carcinogenesis in pts with cvh B and C. It significantly decreases the serum AFP level. Its beneficial effect was observed both in responders and in non-responders.
Department of Gastroenterology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Beata
B
Kasztelan-Szczerbińska
Maria
M
Słomka
Krzysztof
K
Celiński
Cezary T
CT
Lozowski
Jadwiga
J
Daniluk
Mariusz
M
Szczerbiński
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins