Role of Antivirus Therapy in Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Objective: To observe the recurrence and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients coexisting with chronic hepatitis B infection with active virus replication after receiving antivirus therapy using lamivudine and thymosin α1 (Tα1) postoperatively. Methods: From Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2003, 70 patients with HCC coexisting chronic hepatitis B infection with active virus replication were prospectively divided into two groups: control group (n=35) received hepatectomy only; treatment group (n=35) received hepatectomy and lamivudine plus Tα1 therapy postoperatively. The suppression of HBV-DNA, HBeAg seroconverted rate, tumor recurrent rate and the median survival for the two groups were observed and calculated. Results: In treatment group and control group, the 2-year HBV-DNA suppression rate was 100% vs. 4% (P=0.0000); HBeAg seroconverted rate was 73.0% vs. 7.5% (P<0.05); the recurrent rate was 10.0 vs 6.5 months (P=0.0032); the median survival time was 12.5 vs. 6.0 months (P=0.0023), respectively. Conclusion: Antivirus therapy using lamivudine and Tα1 postoperatively may suppress the HBV reaction, delay the recurrent time and prolong the survival for HCC patients coexisting chronic HBV infection with active virus replication.