Effect of Colchicine for the Palliative Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Inclusion Criteria

• . Patient has at least one of the following criteria: (1) positive for hepatocellular carcinoma evidenced by cytology or pathology, (2) serum alpha-fetoprotein level > 400 ng/mL and has evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma provided by contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
• . Contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging has evidence of distant metastasis or large vessel invasion caused by hepatocellular carcinoma.
• . Patient has Child A hepatic reserved function

Exclusion Criteria

• . There are life-threatening hemorrhage including gastrointestinal hemorrhage and hemorrhage from other vital organs such as lungs or brain.
• . There are life-threatening bacterial, fungal or viral infection (not included hepatitis B and C virus).
• . Patient has serum creatinine level > 1.5 mg/dL.
• . Patient must receive long-term medication of statin or fibrates drugs and these medications can not be changed.
• . Patient has white blood cell count < 1500/µL, platelet count < 30000/µL or hemoglobin < 9.0 gm/dL after medication.
• . Pregnant woman or plan to be a pregnant woman
• . allergy to colchicine or has history of severe side effects caused by colchicine
• . Patient has received systemic chemotherapy within 2 months before enrollment or plans to receive systemic chemotherapy in the future.
• . Patient is under or plans to receive Nexavar or other clinical trial testing drug.
• . Patient has severe malfunction of vital organs and can not participate in this study justified by the doctor in this research team.
• . Patient is under or plans to receive Chinese traditional medicine or herb drugs.