This issue is a dedicated supplement published in addition to the regular issues of 'Intervirology' focussing on one specific topic. 'Intervirology' is a well-respected, international peer-reviewed journal in Infectious Diseases. Supplement issues are included in the subscription.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary cancer of the liver, and its incidence is steadily increasing. As the malignancy usually develops in HBV/HCV carriers suffering from chronic liver disease such as chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis, it appears that a hepatitis-related proliferative change, mainly sustained by repeated cycles of cell death and regeneration, is important for HBV/HCV hepatocarcinogenesis. Consequently, efforts should be directed towards the reversion of the hypercarcinogenic to the hypocarcinogenic state to prevent or at least postpone the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. In order to promote the cooperation between Japan and other Asian countries in this respect, the Japan-Korea Liver Symposia have been initiated in 2004. This publication contains the proceedings of the third symposium held in 2006; it focuses on the subjects of ‘Liver transplantation for virus-related liver disease’ and ‘Liver cancer and tumor markers’ in Asian countries.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in Asia. The annual incidence in both Japan and South Korea exceeds 30 cases per 100,000 and is predicted to continue increasing. This special issue explores the feasibility of delaying or preventing the occurrence and recurrence of human hepatocarcinogenesis in Asian countries, especially in Japan and South Korea. The underlying cause of HCC is different in these two countries: whereas in Japan up to 15% of the cases are caused by HBV infection and ~80% by HCV infection, the corresponding figures in South Korea are ~70% and ~20%. Recent data have shown that interferon (IFN) treatment is effective in delaying or preventing the occurrence and recurrence of HCC attributed to HCV infection. A randomized control study has demonstrated that the administration of IFN or acyclic retinoid significantly reduces the incidence of secondary HCC in patients who undergo curative removal of the primary HCC. Nevertheless, IFN and lamivudine therapy for the prevention of HCC in hepatitis B remain to be elucidated. Providing a broad range of state-of-the-art articles, this publication will be of benefit to clinicians and investigators working in the areas of hepatology, viral hepatitis and gastroenterology.