The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IFN-α-2b treatment supplemented with vitamin K<sub>2</sub> in the early stages of liver cancer development in rats.
In particular, besides some cytokines like IFN-α and IL-2, several Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists like BCG, MPL, and imiquimod are also licensed to be used in patients with several malignancies nowadays, and the first artificial small noncoding RNA (microRNA) mimic, MXR34, has entered phase I clinical study against liver cancer, implying their potential application in cancer therapy.
In summary, our results identify central molecules mediating IFN-alpha induced apoptosis in liver tumors, shed light on the differential response of hepatoma cells to IFN exposure and, thus, may contribute to an efficient application of this substance in the treatment of liver cancer.
Productive infections have been achieved recently with genotype 2a virus, but cirrhosis and liver cancer are typically associated with genotype 1 HCV, which is more prevalent and relatively resistant to IFN therapy.