Glycyrrhizin injection therapy prevents hepatocellular carcinogenesis in patients with interferon-resistant active...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Oncology
• Virology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prevention remains a challenge for patients with chronic hepatitis C unresponsive to interferon therapy.
• Identifying effective treatments to reduce cancer risk in this population is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of glycyrrhizin therapy on the rate of hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with interferon-resistant chronic hepatitis C.
• To evaluate glycyrrhizin's potential as a cancer-preventive agent in this specific patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1249 patients with chronic hepatitis.
• Comparison of 244 patients receiving intravenous glycyrrhizin with 102 untreated patients exhibiting high alanine transaminase levels and interferon resistance.
• Proportional hazard analysis using time-dependent covariates to assess factors influencing carcinogenesis.

Main Results:

• Glycyrrhizin treatment significantly decreased the 5- and 10-year crude carcinogenesis rates compared to the untreated group (13.3% vs. 26.0% at 5 years; 21.5% vs. 35.5% at 10 years).
• Proportional hazard analysis identified glycyrrhizin treatment as a significant factor in reducing hepatocarcinogenesis (hazard ratio, 0.49; P = 0.014).
• Cancer preventive activity was also observed in older patients (≥60 years).

Conclusions:

• Intravenous glycyrrhizin injection therapy significantly lowers the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with interferon-resistant active chronic hepatitis C.
• Glycyrrhizin demonstrates cancer-preventive activity, particularly in patients with elevated aminotransferase levels post-interferon treatment.
• This therapy offers a promising approach for cancer prevention in a challenging patient subgroup.