Impairment of IFN-α production capacity in patients with hepatitis C virus and the risk of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: To determine the utility of interferon (IFN)-α production capacity in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection for the measurement of immunosurveillance potential and for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by investigating the Sendai virus (HVJ) stimulated IFN-α production capacity of patients with HCV infection. Methods: HVJ stimulated IFN-α production was determined in a large number of patients with HCV infection and the development of HCC was monitored for 3 years in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Results: IFN-α production capacity decreases gradually with the progression of liver disease from chronic hepatitis (CH) to HCC. A significant correlation between the duration of HCV infection and impaired IFN-α production capacity was observed. IFN-α production in patients who developed HCC within 3 years was significantly lower than that of patients who remained in LC without developing HCC. Conclusion: Measurement of IFN-α production in LC patients may be useful for the early detection of HCC. © 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.