A Phase 3 interventional study of Colchicine 0.5 MG Oral Tablet and Colchicine-Placebo in Peripheral Arterial Disease, Atherosclerosis of Extremities and Inflammation, sponsored by Population Health Research Institute. Recruiting at 70 sites in 9 countries. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-24.
Sponsored by Population Health Research Institute · Phase 3, Interventional, and Treatment
The Low dose ColchicinE in pAtients with peripheral Artery DiseasE to address residual vascular Risk (LEADER-PAD) trial will evaluate if anti-inflammatory therapy with colchicine will reduce vascular events in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease.
The LEADER-PAD trial is a randomized, double blind, multicenter trial with an active run-in period, comparing low dose colchicine 0.5 mg daily with placebo in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) to prevent vascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular deaths, acute limb ischemia and vascular amputation). The sample size for the trial is 6,150 participants. The primary outcome for the trial is major adverse cardiovascular and limb events (MACE and MALE). This composite outcome consists of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke and severe limb ischemia that requires a vascular intervention (i.e., pharmacological reperfusion, endovascular or surgical revascularization) or a major vascular amputation (defined as ankle/transtibial amputation or higher).
Symptomatic atherosclerotic LE PAD fulfilling at least one of the following:
a. Intermittent claudication with ankle/arm blood pressure ratio* (ABI ≤ 0.90) or artery stenosis ≥ 50% plus one of i. >1 vascular bed affected by atherosclerosis ii. Diabetes iii. Heart failure iv. Chronic kidney disease (eGFR \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2)
b. Rest pain (mostly in foot) OR necrosis of limb OR gangrene of limb (corresponding to either Fontaine stages 3 or 4 OR Rutherford Classification categories 4 to 6). All must have an ankle/arm blood pressure ratio* (ABI ≤ 0.90) OR artery stenosis ≥ 50%.
* In cases of incompressible ankle arteries, the presence of toe pressure ≤ 60 mm Hg or toe-brachial index ≤ 0.70 is acceptable
c. Revascularization defined as limb bypass surgery or endovascular revascularization procedures (irrespective of the specific device used), including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty/stent of iliac or infra-inguinal arteries or extra-anatomical bypass surgery
d. Leg or foot amputation for arterial vascular indications
Exclusion Criteria:
Colchicine 0.5mg daily for the duration of the trial
Drug: Colchicine 0.5 MG Oral Tablet
Colchicine-Placebo daily
Drug: Colchicine-Placebo
Colchicine 0.5 mg tablet daily Active drug and placebo are of the same appearance and are indistinguishable. All investigators, study personnel and patients will be blinded to drug treatment assignment. Trial treatment supplies must be stored in a secure, limited-access location under the storage conditions specified on the IP supply label.
Also known as: Colchicine
Colchicine-Placebo tablet
Also known as: Colchicine-Placebo tablet
Major adverse cardiovascular and limb events (MACE or MALE)
This composite outcome consists of cardiovascular deaths, myocardial infarction, stroke, and severe limb ischemia that requires a vascular intervention (i.e., pharmacological reperfusion, endovascular or surgical revascularization) or a major vascular amputation (defined as ankle/transtibial amputation or higher)
Time frame: 3-5 years
Extended MALE
This composite outcome includes major adverse limb events (MALE) as well as revascularization for new or worsening claudication of new stenosis or occlusion detected on screening after a previous intervention
Time frame: 3-5 years
Cardiovascular death
Death will be classified as cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular. All deaths with a clear cardiovascular or unknown cause will be classified as cardiovascular. Only deaths due to a documented non-cardiovascular cause (e.g., cancer) will be classified as non-cardiovascular.
Time frame: 3-5 years
Myocardial infarction
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) requires evidence of acute myocardial injury with clinical evidence of acute myocardial ischemia
Time frame: 3-5 years
Stroke
Stroke requires the presence of acute focal or global\* neurological dysfunction caused by brain or retinal vascular injury due to primary hemorrhage or infarction.
Time frame: 3-5 years
Hospitalization
Admission to hospital for any reason
Time frame: 3-5 years
Acute or chronic limb-threatening ischemia
This is defined as an episode severe limb ischemia that requires an acute vascular intervention (i.e., pharmacological reperfusion, endovascular or surgical revascularization) or a major vascular amputation (defined as at ankle or transtibial amputation or higher).
Time frame: 3-5 years
All revascularization (coronary or cerebrovascular or lower limb or other peripheral revascularization)
Defined as coronary or cerebrovascular or lower limb or other peripheral revascularization
Time frame: 3-5 years
Total vascular amputation
All vascular amputations
Time frame: 3-5 years
Overall mortality
All cause (CV and non CV) deaths
Time frame: 3-5 years
Any thrombosis or thromboembolism (arterial and venous)
All arterial and venous thromboembolism
Time frame: 3-5 years
Fontaine Stage
This classification system grades the clinical presentation of patients to four stages of PAD
Time frame: 3-5 years
Standard Assessment of Global Everyday Activities (SAGEA)
The Standard Assessment of Global Everyday Activities (SAGEA) is a 15 item tool to assess activities of daily living including higher executive function used in social situations, everyday activities and basic activities of daily living. Scores range from 0 to 24 with higher scores indicating poorer function.It is a 15 items questionnaire and the scores will range from 0, describing a very independent participant over a broad spectrum of activities, to 48 describing a very dependent participant
Time frame: 3-5 years
Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire-6 (VascQOL-6)
Six item vascular quality of life instrument: The total score is achieved by summarizing the score on each question, resulting in a score between 6 and 24. Higher value indicates better health status.
Time frame: 3-5 years
EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L)
A survey that measures quality of life across 5 domains. Each domain is scored on a 5-level severity ranking that ranges from "no problems" to "extreme problems".
Time frame: 3-5 years
Occurrence of gastrointestinal toxicity (such as diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting) that results in study drug discontinuation
Safety outcome
Time frame: 3-5 years
Muscle pain (myalgia or myositis), that results in study drug discontinuation
Safety outcome
Time frame: 3-5 years
Infection (e.g., pneumonia) leading to hospitalization
Safety outcome
Time frame: 3-5 years
New diagnosis of cancer
Safety outcome
Time frame: 3-5 years
Renal insufficiency (defined as the need for dialysis or kidney transplant)
Other outcomes of interest
Time frame: 3-5 years
Neuropathy leading to study drug discontinuation
Other outcomes of interest
Time frame: 3-5 years
Neutropenia leading to study drug discontinuation
Other outcomes of interest
Time frame: 3-5 years
Bleeding
Other outcomes of interest
Time frame: 3-5 years
Plan to share: No
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