Effect of Colchicine for the Palliative Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Inclusion Criteria:

1. . 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.
2. . Contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging has evidence of distant metastasis or large vessel invasion caused by hepatocellular carcinoma.
3. . Patient has Child A hepatic reserved function

Exclusion Criteria:

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