Interferon-alpha suppresses liver cell proliferation in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Interferon (IFN) therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C, including virological nonresponders (NR). Whether IFN suppresses liver cell proliferation, i.e. the relevant risk factor for HCC, is unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of IFN therapy on liver cell proliferation in chronic hepatitis C. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen-labelling index (PCNA-LI) was assessed prior to and at the end of therapy in the liver of 29 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received 3 MU IFN-α2b thrice weekly for 24-48 weeks. Overall, the median value of PCNA-LI was significantly reduced from 2.6% to 1.1% at the end of therapy (P 2 and >4 points reduction level (80% vs 36%, P = 0.02 and 53% vs 14%, P = 0.03, respectively). The study showed a significant suppression of liver cell proliferation in IFN-treated patients with chronic hepatitis C. Although the strongest IFN effect was observed in virological responders, a reduction of proliferative activity was also seen in virological NRs