Lymphoblastoid Alpha-interferon In The Prevention Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (Hcc) In High-risk Hbsag-positive Resected Cirrhotic Hcc Cases: A 14-Year Follow-up

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is also a common long-term complication of chronic hepatitis B or C infections, with cirrhosis as a risk factor for premalignant development. Natural lymphoblastoid α-interferon (αN1-IFN) has been widely used in treating chronic HBV and HCV carriers. To investigate its long-term beneficial effect in reducing the development of HCC, 20 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive resected cirrhotic HCC patients who have undergone chemotherapy followed by long-term treatment of 3MU αN1-IFN daily for 10 days every 3 months were analyzed in a 14 year follow-up. Results indicated that these patients survived and remained free of HCC. In contrast, 10 other patients receiving chemotherapy alone after resection eventually had HCC recur. Similar recurrence of HCC was seen in patients who had either reduced dosage of αN1-IFN or stopped interferon therapy or received 30MU dose at 6-month intervals. Our findings indicate the therapeutic potential and long-term safety of αN1-IFN in suppressing the development of HCC in high-risk patients.

Notes

^bThis was a Chinese female patient aged 42 years with a right segmentectomy (segment 8) for 8-cm HCC to be removed. Her AFP levels fell from 9988 to 1883 ng/mL. No tumor was shown on postoperative hepatic angiogram. Wound healing was delayed so the starting of chemotherapy took place 6 weeks after surgery. Her AFP levels fell again to 13 ng/mL before starting the chemotherapy treatment.

^aThis was a male patient aged 49 years with a right hemihepatectomy for an 8-cm tumor. His AFP levels fell from 220,980 to 4100 ng/mL. No tumor was shown on postoperative hepatic angiogram. Wound healing delayed chemotherapy combined with lymphoblastoid α-IFN to seven weeks after surgery. His AFP was at 12 ng/mL at the time of start of combined therapy.