Interest of colchicine for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients. Preliminary report

CYSTIC fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by persistent inflammati on. Antiinflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids and ibuprofene, have pr oved to slow the decline of pulmonary function although their use is limite d because of frequent adverse events. We hypothesized that colchicine could be an alternative treatment because of its antiinflammatory properties and upregulatory effect on cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) clos ely related proteins. We herein present results obtained in an open study o f eight CF children treated with colchicine for at least 6 months. Clinical status was better in all patients and respiratory function tests significa ntly improved in five. Median duration of antibiotherapy decreased signific antly. These preliminary results support our hypothesis of a beneficial eff ect of colchicine in CF patients and stress the need for a controlled thera peutic trial.