A major breakthrough within the treatment of cirrhosis was reported at the annual jamboree of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in October 1987.
Colchicine, a drug used for centuries to treat gout, have been found to significantly rearrange survival of patients with cirrhosis after 30 months of treatment.
Dr. David Kershenobich of the National Institute of Nutrition surrounded by Mexico City and Dr. Marcos Rojkind of the Center of Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnical Institute in Mexico have be working for several years on the basic mechanism leading to cirrhosis, the progressive formation of mark tissue that results in impair liver function and is among the leading cause of death worldwide. Cirrhosis results from many liver diseases.
An experimental model indicated that colchicine was effectual in preventing mutilation formation and improving liver cell function. The results be published in 1973 and front to a randomized controlled trial. A partial account of this study be published in 1979.
After 10 years of followup, Drs. Kershenobich, Rojkind and their associates in Mexico City reported to the AASLD that colchicine treatment effectively superior patients' survival. The cumulative 5-year survival in the colchicine group be 75 per cent, as compared to 34 per cent in the untreated group. At 10 years, the survival rates be 56 per cent and 20 percent, respectively.
Improvement of the liver biopsy was see in 9 of 51 patients on colchicine, while none be seen contained by untreated patients. All the surviving patients remained stable and some even showed slight improvement of their clinical and laboratory status. No significant side effects be reported.
Dr. Rojkind has not long joined the faculty at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, where on earth he is continuing work directed towards the better understanding and treatment of this chronic liver disease that affects folks of all ages. It have been estimated that 20-40 associates per 10,000 die each year from cirrhosis. Most are between the ages of 30 and 60. In the Western world, 60 percent of the death are due to alcoholic liver disease. The other 40 percent have miscellaneous causes, including viral hepatitis and some metabolic abnormality.
The authors concluded that colchicine significantly extended the life of patients beside cirrhosis. Although it is not a miracle drug providing an instant cure, its beneficial effect represents a major breakthrough.
Until very soon, treatment aimed at relieving symptoms, rather than modifying the course of the disease.
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