Longterm treatment with pegylated interferon-alfa2b reduces hepatocellular carcinoma incidence and prevents clinical complication in hepatitis C liver cirrhosis–an interim analysi…

Background and aims: Interferons has been shown to inhibit fibrosis progression. This multicenter, randomized, prospective trial investigated the efficacy of low-dose pegylated interferon-alpha 2b (0,35–1µg/kg/wk) given for 3 years to prevent complications of liver cirrhosis. Methods/patients: Patients (N=88) with chronic hepatitis C and histologically proven cirrhosis (Child Pugh Score 5–7) who were non-responsive to prior anti-viral therapy were randomised to treatment with low dose pegylated interferon-alpha 2b (0,35–1µg/kg/wk, group A) or observation only (group B). Gastroscopy and liver function tests were…