Pegylated
interferon therapy is highly effective in recently acquired HCV. The optimal timing of treatment, regimen and influence of host factors remains unclear. We aimed to measure sustained virological response (SVR) during recent HCV
infection and identify predictors of response. Data were from five prospective cohorts of high-risk individuals in Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States. Individuals with acute or early chronic HCV who commenced pegylated
interferon therapy were included. The main outcome was SVR, and predictors were assessed using logistic regression. Among 516 with documented recent HCV
infection, 237 were treated (pegylated
interferon n = 161; pegylated
interferon/
ribavirin n = 76) (30% female, median age 35 years, 56% ever injected drugs, median duration of
infection 6.2 months). Sixteen per cent (n = 38) were HIV/HCV co-infected. SVR among those with HCV mono-
infection was 64% by intention to treat; SVR was 68% among HCV/HIV
co-infection. Independent predictors of SVR in HCV mono-
infection were duration of HCV
infection (the odds of SVR declined by 8% per month of
infection, aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-0.99, P = 0.033), IFNL4 genotype (adjusted OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.13-4.56, P = 0.021), baseline HCV
RNA <400 000 IU/mL (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.03-4.12, P = 0.041) and age ≥40 years (vs <30: aOR 2.92, 95% CI 1.31-6.49, P = 0.009), with no difference by
drug regimen, HCV genotype, symptomatic
infection or gender. The effect of
infection duration on odds of SVR was greater among genotype-1
infection.
Interferon-based HCV treatment is highly effective in recent HCV
infection. Duration of
infection, IFNL4 genotype and baseline HCV
RNA levels can predict virological response and may inform clinical decision-making.