Colchicine, cyclophosphamide and prednisone in the treatment of mild-moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: comparison of three currently available therapeutic regimens.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we evaluated the role of three currently available therapeutic regimens in the treatment of early stages of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).


METHODS
The study population consisted of 57 consecutive suspected individuals with IPF. Patients with interstitial pneumonias other than IPF and subjects with advanced disease or contraindication to therapy were excluded. We evaluated 30 subjects with mild-moderate IPF, homogeneous baseline characteristics and prognostic parameters that were assigned to 3 treatment regimens: group 1 (n = 11): prednisone 1 mg/kg/ day; group 2 (n = 9): prednisone 0.5 mg/kg/day plus cyclophosphamide 100 mg/day; group 3 (n = 10): prednisone 0.5 mg/kg/day plus colchicine 1 mg/day. We analysed response to therapy by analysis of a clinical-radiographic-physiologic (CRP) score before treatment and at 6 months intervals for 18 months. Side effects and three years survival rate were also investigated.


RESULTS
Although our study was performed in a subset of patients with early disease's stages, these data showed that none of the regimens was able to interfere with IPF's course. However treatment with colchicine plus prednisone resulted in fewer side effects and re-evaluation parameters showed a significant decrease of dyspnoea (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in survival rate among the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the regimens analyzed was effective even in the treatment of the early stages of IPF. The association colchicine/corticosteroids could be considered a safe and not expensive regimen that may be used in the treatment of IPF, especially in patients who have experienced adverse effects from immunosuppressive agents, while waiting for newer therapeutic strategies.
C U B E Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Carlo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy.
E
E
Fiorucci
G
G
Lucantoni
G
G
Paone
M
M
Zotti
Bianchi E
BE
Li
M
M
Serpilli
P
P
Regimenti
I
I
Cammarella
G
G
Puglisi
G
G
Schmid
D000368:Aged; D003078:Colchicine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D015996:Survival Rate; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D003078:Colchicine; D011241:Prednisone