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).