A Unifying Model of Inflammatory Amplification: Insights From Colchicine Across Cardiometabolic and Infectious Disease.

Inflammation is a shared biological process underlying diseases that are traditionally viewed as distinct, including viral infections, coronary artery disease, and metabolic disorders. Despite differing clinical presentations, these conditions are driven by common immune-inflammatory pathways. This review describes how interactions between the innate and adaptive immune systems can become dysregulated, leading to a self-amplifying inflammatory cycle characterized by persistent immune activation, cytokine signaling, and tissue injury. Within this framework, inflammasome activation and immunometabolic dysfunction emerge as central drivers of disease. The role of colchicine is then examined as a therapeutic model that targets upstream components of the inflammatory amplification cascade. Finally, emerging therapeutic strategies are discussed, along with key gaps that may help guide more targeted approaches to treatment in the future.