The induction of TLR7 responsiveness of monocytes by IFNα in vivo in HCV patients is relevant for the development of TLR7 agonists that are currently under development as a promising immunotherapeutic compounds to treat chronic viral hepatitis.
These results hold promise for the development of a gene therapy treatment for chronic viral hepatitis based on liver-restricted expression of IFN-alpha2.
The 23 patients with the IFN-alpha 2b gene and chronic viral hepatitis included 10 who developed antibodies against IFN after treatment with recombinant IFN-alpha 2a.