Abstract | AIM: Although the efficacy of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is improved dramatically by direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains important. Interferon lambda 3 (IFN-λ3) is associated with liver fibrosis and inflammation in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, but its impact on carcinogenesis remains controversial and little is known about its effects after viral clearance. To determine the contribution of IFN-λ3 to hepatocarcinogenesis after HCV clearance, we analyzed IFNL3 genotypes and serial serum IFN-λ3 levels in CHC patients who achieved sustained virologic responses (SVR). METHODS: This study comprised 201 CHC patients treated with DAAs. Serum samples were collected sequentially and IFN-λ3 levels were quantified by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay. The IFNL3 polymorphism (rs8099917) was genotyped in 195 patients. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients were rs8099917 T/T and 70 were non-T/T. Serum IFN-λ3 levels did not differ significantly with IFNL3 genotype, dropped markedly by 1 week and remained low up to 24 weeks after the end of treatment. Interferon-λ3 levels were significantly higher after viral clearance in patients who developed HCC and were associated with a higher potential for hepatocarcinogenesis, such as a higher frequency of non-hypervascular hypointensive nodules (P = 0.046), higher stages of liver fibrosis (P < 0.001), and higher post-treatment levels of Wisteria floribunda agglutinin positive Mac-2 binding protein (P < 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum IFN-λ3 levels after HCV clearance are associated with the potential for HCC development. Interferon-λ3 could be helpful for elucidating the relationships among immunologic status, liver fibrosis, liver inflammation, and hepatocarcinogenesis, after achieving SVR.
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Authors | Emi Inoue-Shinomiya, Miyako Murakawa, Yasuhiro Asahina, Mina Nakagawa, Jun Tsuchiya, Ayako Sato, Tomoyuki Tsunoda, Masato Miyoshi, Sayuri Nitta, Fukiko Kawai-Kitahata, Yasuhiro Itsui, Seishin Azuma, Sei Kakinuma, Kazumoto Murata, Masashi Mizokami, Mamoru Watanabe |
Journal | Hepatology research : the official journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology
(Hepatol Res)
Vol. 49
Issue 5
Pg. 500-511
(May 2019)
ISSN: 1386-6346 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 30623518
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2019 The Japan Society of Hepatology. |