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. 2020;6(4):137-145.
doi: 10.1007/s40495-020-00225-6. Epub 2020 Jul 18.

Colchicine in COVID-19: an Old Drug, New Use

Naomi Schlesinger  1 , Bonnie L Firestein  2 , Luigi Brunetti  3
Affiliations

Colchicine in COVID-19: an Old Drug, New Use

Naomi Schlesinger et al. Curr Pharmacol Rep. 2020.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is a pandemic causing havoc globally. Currently, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs to treat COVID-19. In the absence of effective treatment, off-label drug use, in lieu of evidence from published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, is common in COVID-19. Although it is vital to treat affected patients with antiviral drugs, there is a knowledge gap regarding the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in these patients.

Recent findings: Colchicine trials to combat inflammation in COVID-19 patients have not received much attention. We await the results of ongoing colchicine randomized controlled trials in COVID-19, evaluating colchicine's efficacy in treating COVID-19.

Summary: This review gives a spotlight on colchicine's anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and why colchicine may help fight COVID-19. This review summarizes colchicine's mechanism of action via the tubulin-colchicine complex. Furthermore, it discussed how colchicine interferes with several inflammatory pathways, including inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis, adhesion, and mobilization; disruption of superoxide production, inflammasome inhibition, and tumor necrosis factor reduction; and its possible antiviral properties. In addition, colchicine dosing and pharmacokinetics, as well as drug interactions and how they relate to ongoing, colchicine in COVID-19 clinical trials, are examined.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antiviral; COVID-19; Colchicine; Colchicine-tubulin complex; SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestDr. Schlesinger declares Grants: Pfizer, AMGEN; Advisory boards and consulting: Novartis, Selecta, Mallinckrodt, Horizon Therapeutics, IFM Therapeutics, Johnson and Johnson. Dr. Brunetti declares: Grants: CSL Behring, Astellas Pharma; Advisory boards and consulting: Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Dr. Firestein has nothing to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Colchicine is anti-inflammatory
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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