Abstract: The objective was to evaluate the long-term effect of α-interferon(IFN)thrapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, particularly on survival and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)prevention. Fifty-seven cases were treated with interferon(3～5MIU), 42 cases were treated with general therapy in contrast group. They were followed up for 2.3～5.5 years after end of therapy. Follow-up studies included clinical,biochemical and virological aspects and HCC screening every 3 to 6 months. In the treatment group, the HBeAg serum transforming negative and HBV DNA transforming negative were 40.4%、46.3%、42.1%、51.9% separately in the end of treatment and the end of follow-up, and was higher than the control group(P<0.01). The cumulative incidence of cirrhosis and HCC development was higher in the control group than in the treated group, In contrast, the cumulative survival rate was higher in the treated group. The results suggest that interferon has long-term beneficial effect in terms of HBV clearance, reduction of HCC and prolongation of survival.

Key words: chronic hepatitis B, ierferon, long-time follow-up