Relationship between infection with hepatitis C virus and hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan.

The number of deaths due to HCC is increasing in Japan. Males in particular have seen a marked increase in the past 20 years, and HCV infection accounts for this increase. In patients treated with IFN and followed up for more than 12 months, HCV clearance was achieved in 29.8% and sustained normalization of ALT levels was achieved in 41.4% following IFN therapy. The incidence of HCC following IFN treatment is dependent on the effect of IFN on ALT levels. The incidence of HCC was low in patients with sustained normalization of ALT levels following IFN therapy, regardless of whether or not HCV had been eradicated. In the future, in addition to the development of therapies to eradicate HCV, treatments to lower ALT levels will also be important.