Treatment of Pyoderma gangrenosum with low-dose colchicine

Pyoderma gangrenosum ( PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown origin. Systemic agents occasionally administered provide either incomplete long-term control of the disease or have been associated with serious adverse side effects after chronic administration. We present two patients with PG successfully treated with low-dose colchicine. Antimitotic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of colchicine might account for its beneficial effects in PG patients. Colchicine is effective and well tolerated in low doses by most patients. In addition, it is inexpensive and safer for long-term treatment than corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents. Colchicine may be proposed either as a single agent or as a corticosteroid-sparing agent for early treatment of PG. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.