title: Effects of a 24-week course of interferon-alpha therapy after curative treatment of hepatitis C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Department of Medicine and Molecular Science, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.
authors: Soo Cheol
authors: SC
authors: Jeong
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Aikata
authors: Yoshio
authors: Y
authors: Katamura
authors: Takahiro
authors: T
authors: Azakami
authors: Tomokazu
authors: T
authors: Kawaoka
authors: Hiromi
authors: H
authors: Saneto
authors: Kiminori
authors: K
authors: Uka
authors: Nami
authors: N
authors: Mori
authors: Shintaro
authors: S
authors: Takaki
authors: Hideaki
authors: H
authors: Kodama
authors: Koji
authors: K
authors: Waki
authors: Michio
authors: M
authors: Imamura
authors: Hiroo
authors: H
authors: Shirakawa
authors: Yoshiiku
authors: Y
authors: Kawakami
authors: Shoichi
authors: S
authors: Takahashi
authors: Kazuaki
authors: K
authors: Chayama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha