Colchicine Effect on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Colchicine, ALSFRS-R, TDP-43, Randomized Controlled Trial, Disease progression, survival

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether low-dose colchicine can slow disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor neurons. The study is designed to answer whether patients receiving colchicine show a slower decline in functional status, as measured by the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), over a 30-week double-blind treatment period compared to patients receiving placebo. Additional questions include whether colchicine has an effect on respiratory function, disability progression, quality of life, and overall survival. Researchers will compare participants receiving colchicine at a dose of 0.005 mg/kg/day with those receiving placebo, both in addition to standard-of-care therapy with riluzole, to assess potential differences in disease progression. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to colchicine or placebo. They will take the assigned study medication for 30 weeks during a double-blind phase and then continue into a 36-week open-label extension phase, during which all participants will receive colchicine while remaining blinded to their initial treatment assignment. Throughout the study, participants will undergo regular clinical evaluations, including assessments of motor and respiratory function, functional disability, and quality of life, for a total follow-up period of up to 66 weeks. Blood samples will also be collected to investigate biological markers of neurodegeneration and inflammation.

Co-ALS II is a Phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial conducted in specialized ALS referral centers in Italy. The study investigates whether low-dose colchicine (0.005 mg/kg/day) can slow disease progression in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper and lower motor neurons. The study is based on emerging evidence supporting a role for impaired proteostasis and neuroinflammation in ALS pathogenesis. In particular, intracellular accumulation of TDP-43 protein aggregates and dysfunction of autophagy-related pathways represent key pathogenic mechanisms. Preclinical data suggest that colchicine may enhance proteostasis mechanisms, including autophagy-related signaling pathways (e.g., TFEB, p62, LC3, and HSPB8), potentially facilitating clearance of toxic protein aggregates. This hypothesis is further supported by findings from a previous exploratory Phase II study (Co-ALS), which suggested a potential slowing of ALSFRS-R decline with low-dose colchicine, although that study was limited by sample size and external constraints. In Co-ALS II, 87 patients with definite or probable ALS will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive colchicine or placebo in addition to standard therapy with riluzole. The study includes a screening period of up to 30 days, followed by a 30-week double-blind treatment phase and a 36-week open-label extension phase, resulting in a total follow-up of 66 weeks per participant. The primary endpoint is the rate of decline in ALSFRS-R score over the 30-week double-blind period. Secondary endpoints include longitudinal changes in ALSFRS-R, Rasch-Built Overall ALS Disability Scale (ROADS), forced vital capacity (FVC), ALS Assessment Questionnaire-40 (ALSAQ-40), functional subdomain scores, and overall survival defined as time to death or tracheostomy. Biological samples will be collected at baseline, week 30, and week 66 to investigate pharmacodynamic and mechanistic biomarkers. These include neurofilament light chain (NfL), TDP-43 aggregation markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and circulating inflammatory mediators such as MCP-1, GFAP, and TREM2. Optional cerebrospinal fluid and skin biopsy sub-studies will further explore disease biology. Safety will be closely monitored by an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), which will periodically review unblinded safety data. Predefined stopping rules are in place for severe hematological or systemic toxicity. Statistical analyses will compare treatment groups using longitudinal mixed-effects models and non-parametric methods as appropriate. Sample size calculations are based on observed effect sizes from the prior Co-ALS I study, with adjustment for anticipated dropout.

No related papers found yet.

Italy