Inhibition of HBV gene expression and replication by stably expressed interferon-alpha1 via adeno-associated viral vectors.

Background: Interferon-alpha2 (IFNalpha2) is routinely used for anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatment. However, the therapeutic efficiency is unsatisfactory, particularly in East Asia. Such inefficiency might be a result of the short half-life, relatively low local concentration and strong side-effects of interferons.