Colchicine May Interfere With the Efficacy of the Adenoviral Vector–Based Vaccine for COVID-19

Abstract

Under the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines have become the crucial players to reduce the spread of the infection. Among them, the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine is an adenoviral vector vaccine with an overall efficacy of 70.4% in protection. The engineered adenovirus contains the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein gene and pushes its DNA into the vaccinated cell’s nucleus and subsequently, the spike protein can be made. During vaccination, the genome transition of adenovirus is influenced by the architecture and dynamics of the microtubule. Colchicine can alter microtubule dynamics by suppressing microtubule dynamics at lower concentrations and inducing depolymerization of microtubules at higher concentrations. Accordingly, the delivery of the genome to the vaccinated cell’s nucleus by the adenoviral vector could be hindered under the presence of colchicine. Nevertheless, colchicine is a common medication for gout therapy worldwide, and though not recommended by guidelines, colchicine has even been taken into consideration as a possible therapeutic option for COVID-19 infection. Given the above reasons and the worldwide use of colchicine, the impact of colchicine on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine via adenoviral vector should be viewed cautiously.