Interferon is an immune stimulating agent. According to an article recently published in the Annals of Surgery, administration of interferon following surgery may improve survival among patients with advanced hepatitis B-related hepatocelluar carcinoma.

Hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer. Unfortunately for this disease, recurrences often happen after surgical removal of the cancer. Researchers continue to evaluate ways to reduce these recurrences.

A clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the use of interferon following surgery in patients with HCC. The trial included 80 patients, one group received the interferon after surgery and the other group received no further treatment. The researchers found that the group treated with interferon experienced better survival rates.

When cancer originates in the liver it is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In advanced HCC the cancer has spread to distant places in the body.

Biological pathways that are believed to be associated with cancer growth and spread can be targeted by Nexavar. A clinical trial was conducted consisting of 137 patients who have received no prior therapy and were unable to undergo the surgical removal of their cancer.

According to the article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Nexavar may provide anticancer activity in some patients with liver cancer and is well tolerated.

Also, a measure of 18 genes that were identified can help predict who will benefit from the drug Nexavar. Future clinical trials are being planned to evaluate the use of Nexavar in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients.