Precision Colchicine Intervention to Suppress Atherosclerosis in TET2 Clonal Hematopoiesis

This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded pilot trial. A total of 120 patients will be enrolled and stratified by CHIP variant status into a TET2-CHIP group or a non-CHIP group. TET2-CHIP group (N = 60): Participants will be randomized (1:1) to colchicine 0.5 mg once daily plus SoC therapy (n = 30) or SoC therapy alone (control; n = 30). Non-CHIP group (N = 60): Participants will be randomized (1:1) to colchicine 0.5 mg once daily plus SoC therapy (n = 30) or SoC therapy alone (control; n = 30). SoC therapy includes but is not limited to appropriate lipid lowering, anti-platelet therapy, anti-hypertensive and beta blockers as defined by local guidelines. Patients should also be instructed to follow heart healthy (low fat) diet and regular exercise program. The index qualifying ACS must have occurred at least 30 days and no more than 90 days prior to randomization.

Baseline assessment for all participants will include coronary CT angiography (CCTA) using photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT), inflammatory biomarkers testing and CHIP variant sequencing. After randomization, participants will have visits at Month 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Repeat CCTA for the assessment of coronary plaque will occur during the Month 12 visit. The primary endpoint is the percent change in total plaque volume in non-culprit coronary lesion from baseline to Month 12, measured by CCTA. Secondary endpoints include the percent change in other plaques (calcified plaque, noncalcified plaque, low attenuation plaque, and fibrotic plaque) volume of coronary artery plaque from baseline to Month 12; change in levels of inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-18, hs-CRP, and S100A12); change in the TET2-CHIP variant allele fraction; and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Participants will be followed for 12 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 40-85 years;
• Patients with recent hospitalization for documented ACS (the index event occurring 30-90 days before randomization) and meeting all of the following:

• During the index hospitalization, patients underwent either PCI or diagnostic coronary angiography alone,
• At least one non-culprit coronary lesion with 30%-70% diameter stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography,
• Clinically stable throughout the screening period,
• Receiving standard of care therapy for ACS in accordance with national guidelines,
• Peripheral blood DNA available for targeted sequencing, with results demonstrating either TET2-CHIP or no CHIP-associated variants;
• Written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) before documented ACS;
• Other clinically significant cardiovascular diseases, including moderate-to-severe valvular heart disease (moderate or severe), heart failure (NYHA class III-IV), or atrial fibrillation;
• Non-culprit coronary anatomy (e.g., marked tortuosity, bifurcation lesions, or small vessels <1.5 mm in diameter) deemed to preclude plaque assessment by CCTA;
• Planned PCI or CABG;
• Abnormal liver function (ALT >3 times the upper limit of normal range) at randomization;
• Abnormal renal function (serum creatinine >1.5 times the upper limit of normal range or estimated eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m²) at randomization;
• Hematologic abnormalities: anemia (hemoglobin <100g/L), thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100×109/L) or leukopenia (white blood cell <3×109/L) at randomization;
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis) or active diarrhea;
• Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy, pre-existing progressive neuromuscular disease or creatine kinase (CK) level > 3 times the upper limit of normal range as measured within the past 30 days and determined to be non-transient through repeat testing;
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or women of childbearing potential who are not using an effective method of contraception;
• Any contraindication, known allergy or intolerance to colchicine;
• Colchicine use within 30 days prior to randomization, or planned colchicine therapy for other indications;
• Current or planned use of any of cyclosporine, verapamil, HIV protease inhibitors, azole antifungals, or macrolide antibiotics;
• Existing or planned treatment with other anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs;
• History of malignancy (hematologic or solid-tumor);
• History of transplantation (hematopoietic stem cell or solid-organ);
• Significant radiation exposure (≥40 mSv) within the past 12 months;
• Known hypersensitivity to iodinated contrast media or uncontrolled active hyperthyroidism;
• Current enrollment in another clinical trial;
• A predicted life expectancy < 1 year;
• Any other circumstances in which the investigator judges that the patient is not suitable to participate in the clinical trial.