Common inflammation drug may slow blood mutation, related cardiovascular disease risk (Colchicine)

Taking low-dose colchicine daily may slow the progression of a common acquired gene mutation found in the blood of older adults that can lead to certain blood cancers and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a subanalysis of the LoDoCo2 trial. Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) is an acquired mutation in blood stem cells that is linked to risk of developing leukemia and other blood cancers. It is also associated with a more than 1.5-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, heart failure and arrhythmias. The most common driver genes that can lead to CH are DNMT3A,...