Study to Evaluate the Safety of Colchicine

Inclusion Criteria:

• Eight years or older with HNC diagnosis confirmed histologically o Stage 1-3 HNC pathologically confirmed diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of theoropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, nasopharyngeal, or oral cavity
• Plan to receive radiotherapy (>60 Gy), chemo-irradiation or bio-radiation either asprimary or as a post-operative treatment to the head and neck region
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOGPS) performance status 0 or 1
• Comply with the study protocol
• Capable of signing a written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• An allergy, intolerance, or contraindication to colchicine
• Current treatment with colchicine for medical conditions, e.g. gout and FamilialMediterranean Fever (FMF)
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 55 ml/min since colchicine should not begiven
• Severe liver disease or current aminotransferase levels of more than 1.5 times theupper limit of the normal range
• Previous irradiation to the head and/or neck region
• Distant metastatic disease or locally recurrent disease
• Pre-existing skin rashes, ulcerations, or open wounds in the treatment area
• Known allergic and other systemic skin diseases even when not directly affectingirradiated fields
• Substance abuse, medical conditions, and/or social issues that would limit conduct orfollow-up in the research study, in the opinion of the investigator
• Any condition that is unstable or could affect the safety of the patient and theircompliance in the study as judged by the investigator
• Using high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Pregnant and lactating women
• Psychiatric illness that would prevent the patient from giving informed consent
• Taking cetuximab or other radiosensitizing agents.