Effects of Long-Term Postoperative Interferon-α Therapy on Intrahepatic Recurrence after Resection of Hepatitis C Virus–Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A Randomized, Controlled Trial

  1. Shoji Kubo, MD;
  2. Shuhei Nishiguchi, MD;
  3. Kazuhiro Hirohashi, MD;
  4. Hiromu Tanaka, MD;
  5. Taichi Shuto, MD;
  6. Osamu Yamazaki, MD;
  7. Susumu Shiomi, MD;
  8. Akihiro Tamori, MD;
  9. Hiroko Oka, MD;
  10. Sumito Igawa, MD;
  11. Tetsuo Kuroki, MD; and
  12. Hiroaki Kinoshita, MD
  1. From Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka City General Hospital, and Joto Central Hospital, Osaka, Japan.

    Abstract

    Background: Interferon therapy decreases the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

    Objective: To evaluate effects of interferon-α on recurrence after resection of hepatitis C virus–related hepatocellular carcinoma.

    Design: Randomized, controlled trial.

    Setting: University hospital, medical center, and affiliated hospital in Osaka, Japan.

    Patients: 30 men were randomly allocated after resection to the interferon-α group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15).

    Intervention: Patients in the interferon-α group received interferon-α, 6 MIU intramuscularly daily for 2 weeks, then three times weekly for 14 weeks, and finally twice weekly for 88 weeks.

    Measurements: Recurrence rates after resection.

    Results: Recurrent tumors were detected in 5 patients in the interferon-α group and in 12 control patients. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the interferon-α group than in the control group (P = 0.037).

    Conclusion: Postoperative interferon-α therapy appears to decrease recurrence after resection of hepatitis C virus–related hepatocellular carcinoma.

    Article and Author Information

    • †Deceased.

    • Acknowledgments: The authors thank Daniel K. Podolsky, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, for critical reading of the manuscript and Hiroyuki Yasuda for statistical analysis.

    • Grant Support: In part by grants from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture (09671330) and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan.

    • Requests for Single Reprints: Shuhei Nishiguchi, MD, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan; e-mail, snishiguch{at}med.osaka-cu.ac.jp.

    • Current Author Addresses: Drs. Kubo, Hirohashi, Tanaka, Shuto, and Kinoshita: Second Department of Surgery, Osaka City University Medical School, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.

    • Drs. Nishiguchi, Shiomi, and Tamori: Third Department of Internal Medicine, Osaka City University Medical School, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545 8585, Japan.

    • Dr. Yamazaki: Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Osaka City General Hospital, 2-13-22 Miyakojimahondori, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka 534-0021, Japan.

    • Dr. Oka: Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka City General Hospital, 2-13-22 Miyakojimahondori, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka 534-0021, Japan.

    • Dr. Igawa: Joto Central Hospital, 5-13-47 Shiginonishi, Joto-ku, Osaka 536-0014, Japan.

    • Author Contributions: Conception and design: S. Kubo, S. Nishiguchi, T. Kuroki, H. Kinoshita.

    • Analysis and interpretation of the data: S. Kubo, T. Kuroki, S. Nishiguchi.

    • Drafting of the article: S. Kubo.

    • Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content: S. Nishiguchi.

    • Final approval of the article: S. Kubo, S. Nishiguchi, K. Hirohashi, H. Tanaka, T. Shuto, O. Yamazaki, S. Shiomi, A. Tamori, H. Oka, S. Igawa, H. Kinoshita.

    • Provision of study materials or patients: S. Kubo, S. Nishiguchi, K. Hirohashi, H. Tanaka, T. Shuto, O. Yamazaki, S. Shiomi, A. Tamori, H. Oka, S. Igawa, T. Kuroki, H. Kinoshita.

    • Statistical expertise: S. Kubo, S. Nishiguchi.

    • Obtaining of funding: S. Kubo, H. Kinoshita.

    • Administrative, technical, or logistic support: S. Kubo, S. Nishiguchi, K. Hirohashi, H. Tanaka, T. Shuto, O. Yamazaki, S. Shiomi, A. Tamori, H. Oka, S. Igawa, T. Kuroki.

    • Collection and assembly of data: S. Kubo, S. Nishiguchi, K. Hirohashi, H. Tanaka, O. Yamazaki, S. Shiomi, A. Tamori, H. Oka, S. Igawa.

    Summary for Patients

    • Summaries for Patients:Does Interferon-α Prevent Recurrence of Malignant Tumors in Patients with Hepatitis C–Related Liver Cancer? Ann Intern Med May 15, 2001 134:S7
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    1. Ann Intern Med May 15, 2001 vol. 134 no. 10 963-967
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