Impairment of IFN-alpha 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)-alpha production capacity in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection for the measurement of immuno-surveillance potential and for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by investigating the Sendai virus (HVJ) stimulated IFN-alpha production capacity of patients with HCV infection.
Methods: HVJ stimulated IFN-alpha 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-alpha 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-alpha production capacity was observed. IFN-alpha 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-alpha production in LC patients may be useful for the early detection of HCC.