Long-Term Prednisone Use Increases Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in Autoimmune Hepatitis Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated liver condition marked by progressive inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, and eventual cirrhosis. Prednisone has long served as the foundational AIH therapy. However, its prolonged use warrants closer evaluation regarding long-term outcomes. Among cirrhotic patients, the combination of chronic inflammatory and tumor-promoting changes may synergize to compromise immunity increasing susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this context, adding immunosuppressive burden of corticosteroids may influence cancer risk in ways not well investigated. We investigated the effect of dose-dependent prednisone exposure on HCC risk in AIH-cirrhosis patients.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 121 ad

SUBMITTER: Liu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12547222 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature