0000000000531458
AUTHOR
Nikolai V. Naoumov
Impact of HBV, HCV and GBV-C/HGV on hepatocellular carcinomas in Europe: results of a European concerted action.
Abstract Background/Aims: To investigate the impact of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Europe. Methods: Five hundred and three patients with HCC, from six liver centers, were included. All 503 sera and 80 liver samples were tested for HBV DNA and HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction. GBV-C/HGV RNA was also tested in 57 sera. Results: HBsAg and anti-HCV were detected in 19% and 40.1% of the patients, respectively. Serum and liver HBV DNA were detected in 82% and 91% of the HBsAg positive subjects. HBV DNA was also detected in the serum and liver of 33% and 47% of HBsAg negative patients. In this group, serum HBV DNA was more prevalent in anti-HBs…
Interferon alfa for chronic hepatitis B infection: Increased efficacy of prolonged treatment
Interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) is the primary treatment for chronic hepatitis B. The standard duration of IFN-alpha therapy is considered 16 weeks; however, the optimal treatment length is still poorly defined. We evaluated the efficacy and acceptability of prolonged IFN-alpha treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B. To investigate whether treatment prolongation could enhance the rate of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, we conducted a prospective, controlled, multicenter trial in which all patients were treated with a standard regimen of 10 million units IFN-alpha 3 times per week over 16 weeks. Patients who were still HBeAg-positive after 16 weeks of therapy were randomize…