Immune cell responses are not required to induce substantial hepatitis B virus antigen decline during pegylated interferon-alpha administration
L Allweiss, T Volz, M Lütgehetmann, K Giersch… - Journal of …, 2014 - Elsevier
Background & Aims Pegylated interferon-alpha (PegIFNα) remains an attractive treatment
option for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection because it induces higher rates of antigen
loss and seroconversion than treatment with polymerase inhibitors. Although early HBsAg
decline is recognised as the best predictor of sustained response to IFN-based therapy, it is
unclear whether immune cell functions are required to induce significant antigenemia
reduction in the first weeks of treatment. Aim of the study was to investigate whether …
option for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection because it induces higher rates of antigen
loss and seroconversion than treatment with polymerase inhibitors. Although early HBsAg
decline is recognised as the best predictor of sustained response to IFN-based therapy, it is
unclear whether immune cell functions are required to induce significant antigenemia
reduction in the first weeks of treatment. Aim of the study was to investigate whether …