title: Colchicine therapy for refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
abstract: Fourteen patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refractory to splenectomy and corticosteroids (prednisone, 1 to 2 mg/kg of body weight per day) received at least 1.2 mg of oral colchicine daily for a minimum of two weeks. Three patients had complete responses and one had a partial response (response rate, 29%). Responses were evident within two weeks of commencing therapy. Only the patient with a partial response was receiving concomitant therapy, a stable dose of prednisone. Responsiveness to colchicine did not seem to correlate with responsiveness to vincristine sulfate. Side effects of colchicine therapy were mild and complications did not occur. A possible mechanism of action for colchicine in ITP is decreased clearance of opsonized platelets secondary to inhibition of microtubule-dependent events in macrophages. Colchicine is useful in the treatment of ITP resistant to standard treatment.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003078:Colchicine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014750:Vincristine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D003078:Colchicine