Add-on of pegylated interferon alpha–2a (PEG-IFN) triggers antigen-independent TNF-alpha production by CD4+ T cells in patients with pretreated chronic hepatitis B

αααHepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) to anti-HBs seroconversion is considered to be the ultimate goal of chronic hepatitis B treatments. Unfortunately, this goal is rarely achieved with the currently available therapeutic approaches. In a pilot study we evaluated the effect of add-on PEG-IFN (given in a standard dose) after HBV replication had been controlled by nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in a cohort of 12 patients. We analysed HBsAg seroconversion and the induction of HBV-specific T cell responses.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated at week 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 of PEG-IFN therapy. Quanti…