Liver Cancer Prevention

Worldwide, the majority of HCC is associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Today, however, all newborns are vaccinated against hepatitis B in China and other Asian countries. Therefore, the frequency of chronic HBV in future generations will decrease. Eventually, perhaps in three or four generations, HBV will be totally eradicated, thereby eliminating the most common risk factor for HCC.

Some retrospective (looking back in time) studies suggest that patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with interferon were less likely to develop HCC than patients who were not treated. Interestingly, in these studies, interferon treatment seemed to provide this benefit, even to patients who had less than an optimal antiviral response to interferon. Still, it remains to be seen whether the risk of developing cirrhosis and HCC is significantly decreased in prospectively (looking ahead) followed patients who responded to interferon.

One Japanese study has reported that a retinoid derivative (a compound related to vitamin A) was effective in preventing recurrence of HCC after resection of the liver. As of now, this compound is not available in the U.S. It would be of great interest to study the use of this compound in conjunction with other palliative therapy for HCC.