Antiviral therapy for hepatitis B-related liver cancer

January 01, 0001

Antiviral therapy for hepatitis B-related liver cancer

These investigators from Hong Kong assess whether commencement of antiviral therapy after hepatectomy improves the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in preoperatively antiviral-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. They conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database.

They found: "One hundred thirty-six patients received major hepatectomy for HBV-related HCC from September 1, 2003, through December 31, 2007. Among them, 42 patients received antiviral therapy (treatment group) after hepatectomy, whereas 94 did not (control group). Patient demographics, preoperative liver function, tumor characteristics, and liver function at the time of tumor recurrence were comparable between the 2 groups. Disease-free and overall survival rates were significantly prolonged in the treatment group. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates in the treatment group were 88.1%, 79.1%, and 71.2%, respectively; in the control group, 76.5%, 47.5%, and 43.5%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates in the treatment group were 66.5%, 51.4%, and 51.4%, respectively; in the control group, 48.9%, 33.8%, and 33.8%, respectively. Subgroup analysis stratified against tumor stage and major vascular invasion showed that posthepatectomy antiviral treatment conferred a significant survival benefit in stages I and II tumors or HCCs without major venous invasion."

The authors concluded: "Antiviral therapy improves the prognosis of HBV-related HCC. It should be considered after hepatectomy for HBV-related HCC, especially in early-stage tumors."

These results of observational data should be confirmed with a well-designed clinical trial.


For the full abstract, click here.

Arch Surg 146(6):675-681, June 2011 © 2011 to the American Medical Association
Impact of Antiviral Therapy on the Survival of Patients After Major Hepatectomy for Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Albert C. Y. Chan, Kenneth S. H. Chok, Wai Key Yuen, et al. Correspondence to Dr. Chan: [email protected]

Category: D. Digestive. Keywords: hepatitis B, antiviral therapy, hepatocellular carcinoma, survival, cohort study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 1 July 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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