Trial to Study the Benefit of Colchicine in Patients With COVID-19

COVID-19 is associated with a cytokine storm that leads to respiratory distress, multiorgan failure and elevated mortality. Oral colchicine exhibits high anti-inflammatory capacity attributed to the inhibition of microtubules polymerization, inflammasome and production of IL-1β and IL-6, which could prevent the inflammatory storm in COVID-19 patients at risk. We present a randomized clinical trial, controlled, open-label and pragmatic, including COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization but no intensive care yet. Colchicine will be started within the first 48 hours and then administered for four weeks using a descending dose. The benefit will be study in terms of clinical evolution (WHO 7-point scale) and IL-6 levels, as well as other clinical and biochemical secondary end-points. In the case of positive results, the clinical impact would be relevant given that this oral medication is widely accessible which would help to prevent the inflammatory complications associated with COVID-19.