Nowadays, patients with
chronic hepatitis C in all countries are generally treated with
interferon (IFN), and more than 50% of patients become HCV-
RNA negative following PEG-IFN plus
ribavirin therapy, but unfortunately, the IFN
therapy is not effective in about 70% of patients with HCV-associated LC. In Japan, HCC actually develops in about 7% of those patients every year. A strategy for preventing HCC development other than IFN
therapy is, therefore, urgently needed for those patients. We reported that the recurrence rate and the development of HCC was more rapid in the high serum ALT level (>80 IU) patients with HCV-associated LC.
Sho-saiko-to,
Juzen-taiho-to, and
stronger-neo minophagen C are
herbal medicines used in Japan to treat chronic viral
liver diseases, and they work by reducing inflammatory processes and controlling ALT levels. Aggressive reduction
therapy for ALT levels in HCV-LC patients could significantly prevent HCC development.