Interferon-alfa treatment may reduce the occurrence of liver carcinogenesis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis

• Published in: Annales Universitatis Mariae Curie-Skłodowska. Sectio D, Medicina Vol. 58; no. 1; p. 280
• Main Authors: Kasztelan-Szczerbińska, Beata, Słomka, Maria, Celiński, Krzysztof, Lozowski, Cezary T, Daniluk, Jadwiga, Szczerbiński, Mariusz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland 2003
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; alpha-Fetoproteins - metabolism; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - prevention & control; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - virology; Female; Hepatitis B, Chronic - drug therapy; Hepatitis C, Chronic - drug therapy; Humans; Interferon-alpha - therapeutic use; Liver Neoplasms - prevention & control; Liver Neoplasms - virology; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0066-2240

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). Effectiveness of IFN-alpha treatment was evaluated on the basis of the HBV DNA and HCV RNA level in blood. The serum AFP values were determined before and 4-7 years after IFN-alpha treatment. The baseline serum AFP level was increased in 26 out of 37 pts (70%) (14/21 from HCV group; 12/16 from HBV group). After the 4-7 years' follow-up it remained increased only in 2 out of 37 pts (5%). AFP values significantly decreased after IFN-alpha treatment (17.58+/-19.09 IU/ml vs 7.95+/-21.78 IU/ml; p< 0.05; normal range 0-5 IU/ml) in both HBV and HCV, responder and non- responder groups. These results support the hypothesis that IFN-alpha therapy could diminish the risk of liver carcinogenesis in pts with cvh B and C. It significantly decreases the serum AFP level. Its beneficial effect was observed both in responders and in non-responders.