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Colchicine in chronic hepatitis B: a pilot study

A Floreani1, S Lobello, M Brunetto

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, University of Padova, Italy.

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|August 13, 1998
PubMed
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Colchicine shows promise as an alternative treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This pilot study found colchicine safe and effective in reducing HBV DNA and improving liver enzymes in patients ineligible for standard antiviral therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology and Viral Hepatitis Research
  • Pharmacological Investigations of Antiviral Agents

Background:

  • Colchicine, known for antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, has demonstrated in vitro ability to inhibit DNA synthesis and block mitosis.
  • These properties suggest potential therapeutic applications for liver diseases, including chronic viral hepatitis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of colchicine as a treatment for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease.
  • To assess colchicine's impact on viral markers and liver enzymes in patients with HBV-DNA positivity.

Main Methods:

  • A pilot study involving nine patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis B (HBV-DNA positive).
  • Patients received 1 mg of colchicine orally, five days a week for six months.
  • Liver enzymes and viral markers were monitored at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

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Main Results:

  • No adverse side-effects were reported during the six-month colchicine treatment.
  • Significant improvements observed: HBeAg-positive patients seroconverted to anti-HBe with normalized AST/ALT.
  • Four of seven anti-HBe positive patients achieved complete normalization of transaminases; one cleared HBsAg and seroconverted to anti-HBs.
  • Six out of nine patients became HBV-DNA negative by the end of therapy, remaining negative at 12-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Colchicine demonstrated potential antiviral activity in patients with chronic HBV-DNA positive liver disease.
  • These preliminary findings suggest colchicine could be a viable alternative therapy to interferon for chronic hepatitis B.