Effects of preceding interferon therapy on outcome after surgery for hepatitis C virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interferon (IFN) can eradicate hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA from serum and hepatic tissue, and suppress the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite such effectiveness, HCC develops even in HCV patients successfully treated with IFN therapy. METHODS: HCV-related HCC patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC were divided into three groups according to preceding IFN for HCV infection therapy and the therapeutic effect: responders group (n = 23), non-responders group (n = 46), and no-IFN group (n = 215). Postoperative outcome was retrospectively examined in the three groups. RESULTS: AST and ALT were significantly lower in responders group than non-responders group (P < 0.001, P = 0.001) and no-IFN group (P = 0.001, P = 0.002). Platelet count was significantly higher in responders group than other groups (P = 0.008, P = 0.001). The percentage of cirrhotic patients in responders group was significantly lower than other groups (P = 0.017, P = 0.014). Multivariate analysis identified preceding IFN therapy to be associated with disease-free survival at marginal significance (P = 0.086), and as a significant independent factor for overall survival (P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Preceding IFN therapy for HCV infection improves postoperative outcome in HCV-related HCC patients treated successfully with IFN.