Interferon therapy does not prevent hepatocellular carcinoma in HCV compensated cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Recent experiences suggest that interferon may significantly decrease the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. We conducted a randomized study with interferon versus no therapy in hepatitis C virus Child A cirrhosis with abnormal alanine aminotransferase and HCV-RNA positive serum with the aim to investigate the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, worsening of cirrhosis's stage and death or orthotopic liver transplantation.

Methodology: A cohort of 122 patients prospectively followed was analyzed retrospectively to assess the effect of interferon therapy (mean follow-up: 96 +/- 18.3 months). We only chose patients with hepatitis C virus infection who had undergone blood transfusion before 1980. Hepatitis C virus serotype was determined by hepatitis C virus serotyping 1-6 assay (Murex Biothec Limited Temple Hill, Dartford, Kent, UK). HCV-RNA level was determined by bDNA, Chiron Corporation Emeryville, CA. Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was made on the basis of the appearance of local lesions at periodic ultrasound examination of the liver and confirmed with spiral computed tomography. Fine needle biopsy under sonographic guidance was effected. Fifty-nine patients (mean age: 55.3 +/- 7) received interferon (3MU three times a week for 12 months), 8 stopped therapy for side effects, 71 did not receive interferon (mean age: 56.8 +/- 8). Baseline characteristics were similar.

Results: It emerges how interferon does not reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in compensated cirrhosis. In interferon treated patients an improvement in relation with worsening and death/orthotopic liver transplantation has been noted.

Conclusions: The use of the interferon seems to be scarcely useful when structural alterations of the cirrhotic kind show up, as cirrhosis represents by itself a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Nevertheless, in relation to the worsening of cirrhosis's stage the interferon therapy can be useful in compensated cirrhosis.