Distinct T-cell receptor profiles associated with hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion during entecavir treatment.

Background & Aims: T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is ambiguously changed in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients during antivirus therapy. We tried to assess TCR repertoire dynamics and its clinical significance upon HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients.

Methods: Twenty CHB patients undergoing 1-year entecavir (ETV) treatment were enrolled, including 10 complete response (CR) vs 10 non-complete response (NCR) patients based on HBeAg seroconversion at week 48.