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

AIM: To determine the utility of interferon (IFN) -αproduction 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.