[Clinical significance of interferon therapy in treatments for hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma]

Abstract

The results of liver resection for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are affected by persistent active hepatitis and/or hepatic fibrosis including cirrhosis. In patients infected with HCV, interferon therapy prevents the development of HCC by eradication of HCV and/or the remission of active hepatitis. Although HCCs are found even in some patients treated with interferon, the results of liver resection for such HCCs were satisfactory, especially in patients successfully treated with interferon. Postoperative interferon-alpha therapy decreased recurrence after resection of HCV-related HCC in a randomized controlled trial. Strategies for viral infection as well as the carcinoma can improve the outcome after treatment of HCV-related HCC. Interferon therapy is useful to improve the outcome after treatments for HCV-related HCC.