Meta‐analysis: interferon improves outcomes following ablation or resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 851–858 Summary Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is third most common cause of tumour‐related death in the US with hepatitis C virus (HCV) the most common aetiology. Surgical resection and tumour ablation are curative in patients who cannot be transplanted. With native liver having cirrhosis, HCC recurrence is a potential problem. Aim To perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies evaluating efficacy of IFN to prevent HCC recurrence after its curative treatment in HCV‐related cirrhosis. Methods Ten studies (n = 645, 301 treated with IFN) on the use of IFN after resection or ablation of HCV‐associated HCC were analysed. Results Pooled data showed benefit of IFN for HCC prevention with OR (95% CI) of 0.26 (0.15–0.45); P