News & Clinical Trials

Curated updates on clinical trials, peer-reviewed papers, and reputable coverage related to compounds discussed on this site for cancer and other serious diseases. This page is informational only — not medical advice, diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional. No entry implies proven efficacy.

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49 of 103 entries, newest first
DateCompoundTitle TypePhaseStatus
HCQ ClinicalTrials.gov results: sorafenib plus hydroxychloroquine in advanced liver cancer (NCT03037437)
Summary

Registry results posted Oct 21, 2026 for a small Phase 2, non-randomized trial at UT Health San Antonio (2017 to 2025). 32 people with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) who had not had prior systemic treatment started sorafenib, with hydroxychloroquine 400 mg daily added from day 15. Their median time to tumor progression was 8 months (95% CI 4 to 19 months). Only 25 finished the first cycle and 2 completed a full year of treatment. A second group of 5 patients who had already progressed on sorafenib had HCQ added, but none were evaluable. There was no sorafenib-only comparison group, so these results cannot show whether HCQ added any benefit. Results are posted on the registry only; no journal paper yet.

Phase II · n=37 · single-arm, no control · registry results · 2026
Clinical trial Phase 2 Completed
HCQ Arabian J Chem: hydroxychloroquine plus resveratrol nanoparticles kill liver cancer cells in the lab
Summary

Preclinical study (Mohammed et al.): researchers packed hydroxychloroquine and resveratrol together into coated nanoparticles. In HepG2 liver cancer cells the nanoparticles were more toxic than either free drug, triggered apoptosis and affected autophagy, and were less toxic to normal skin cells. A 30-day oral study in mice looked only at safety and found no deaths and mild liver changes. No tumor-shrinkage testing in animals or patients yet.

In vitro + mouse safety · 2026
Lab study Preclinical
HCQ Future J Pharm Sci (2026): meta-analysis finds adding HCQ to chemotherapy did not improve tumor response
Summary

Systematic review and meta-analysis (Al-Talqani et al.) of 7 studies, 383 adults with cancer, comparing chemotherapy plus hydroxychloroquine against chemotherapy alone or placebo. Adding HCQ did not significantly improve objective response (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.30–1.46), complete or partial response, or stable disease. Side effects such as headache and nausea were similar between groups. The authors call for larger randomized trials. Evidence level: meta-analysis of small studies; negative result.

Meta-analysis · 7 studies, n=383 · 2026
Review
HCQ Biomaterials: HCQ-loaded nanoparticle boosted radiation and immunotherapy against liver cancer in mice
Summary

Preclinical study (Fang et al.): a nanoparticle loaded with hydroxychloroquine was designed to jam the autophagy recycling system in liver cancer cells. It increased immune-alarm (cGAS-STING) signaling and cell damage, and with radiotherapy it improved tumor control in mouse models, including distant tumors, with a further benefit when a checkpoint inhibitor was added. A complex engineered nanoparticle, not plain HCQ; cells and mice only; not tested in people.

Lab + mouse study (nanoparticle) · 2026
Animal study Preclinical
HCQ Pilot HCQ for aromatase-inhibitor musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) (NCT07825454) [Pending]
Summary

Indiana University Phase II pilot of hydroxychloroquine for joint pain from aromatase-inhibitor–associated musculoskeletal symptoms in breast cancer patients (n≈35). Supportive-care focus. Evidence level: planned pilot; no results yet.

Phase II · not yet recruiting · supportive care
Clinical trial Phase 2 Not yet recruiting
HCQ Phase I: oral decitabine/cedazuridine + venetoclax + HCQ in AML (NCT07814339) [Pending]
Summary

Rutgers Phase I dose-finding study of hydroxychloroquine added to oral decitabine/cedazuridine and venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia (n≈18). Evidence level: planned early Phase I; no results yet.

Phase I · not yet recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 1 Not yet recruiting
HCQ ACS Appl Polym Mater: polymer carrying gemcitabine plus hydroxychloroquine tested on pancreatic cancer cells
Summary

Lab chemistry study (Degirmenci et al.): researchers built polymers that carry both the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine and hydroxychloroquine and tested different chemical links for releasing each drug. The best version released both drugs well, was more toxic to pancreatic cancer cells and was taken up by BxPC-3 cells and 3D tumor spheroids. Lab cells only; no animal or human data.

Lab study (drug delivery, cell lines) · 2026
Lab study Preclinical
HCQ BMC Pharmacol Toxicol (2026): sorafenib + HCQ synergy in KRAS-mutant breast cancer models
Summary

Computational-experimental study reporting synergistic responses to sorafenib plus hydroxychloroquine in KRAS-mutant breast cancer models. Evidence level: preclinical — not a clinical trial result.

In vitro · 2026
Lab study Preclinical
HCQ HCQ + TAE for hepatocellular carcinoma (NCT05842174 / TAQE) — recruiting
Summary

VA-sponsored Phase I/II randomized study (estimated n≈93; start 2026-04-01) of intra-arterial hydroxychloroquine in lipiodol with transarterial embolization (TAE), then oral HCQ maintenance, versus lipiodol/TAE plus oral placebo, for intermediate-stage unresectable HCC. Evidence level: ongoing Phase I/II; results pending.

Phase I/II · recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 Recruiting
HCQ Tunlametinib + pucotenlimab + HCQ in NRAS-mutant melanoma (NCT07750067) — recruiting
Summary

Recruiting Phase II combining MEK inhibitor tunlametinib, PD-1 antibody pucotenlimab, and hydroxychloroquine in metastatic NRAS-mutant melanoma. Evidence level: planned/ongoing Phase II; no results yet.

Phase II · recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 2 Recruiting
HCQ The Oncologist: Phase I results of binimetinib plus hydroxychloroquine in metastatic pancreatic cancer (NCT04132505)
Summary

Published results (Haldar et al., MD Anderson): 34 patients with KRAS-mutant metastatic pancreatic cancer who had already had at least one treatment got the MEK inhibitor binimetinib plus hydroxychloroquine. The starting dose was poorly tolerated (one grade 3 muscle-enzyme rise with kidney impairment, one grade 3 QT prolongation), so the dose was lowered to binimetinib 30 mg + HCQ 600 mg twice daily. Of 31 patients who could be assessed, 2 had a partial response and 9 had stable disease (response rate 6.5%, disease control 35.5%); median progression-free survival was 1.9 months and median overall survival 5.3 months. The authors conclude the combination had a challenging toxicity profile and limited activity. Honest negative early-phase result.

Phase I · n=34 · negative · 2026
Clinical trial Phase 1
HCQ HITMAN-PC: Phase I HCQ + suba-itraconazole in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer (NCT03513211)
Summary

Cancer Research Communications Phase I (n=11): MTD/RP2D HCQ 600 mg BID with suba-itraconazole 150 mg BID; common AEs hypertension, QTc prolongation, diarrhea, nausea; no PSA declines ≥50%; median PSA-PFS 5.5 months. Planned Phase II expansion not pursued (limited activity + changing BCR landscape).

Phase I published · negative/futile
Clinical trial Phase 1
HCQ Window-of-opportunity HCQ in resectable localized prostate cancer (NCT06408298) — recruiting
Summary

Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled early Phase I proof-of-principle study of oral hydroxychloroquine before prostatectomy, measuring autophagy markers (p62, LC3-II, NBR1) in tumor tissue (n≈20). Evidence level: biomarker-focused pilot; not an efficacy trial.

Early Phase I · recruiting
Clinical trial Early Phase 1 Recruiting
HCQ AUTOMAIN: autophagy maintenance with HCQ in ovarian cancer (NCT06971744) — recruiting
Summary

Recruiting Phase II focused on autophagy maintenance strategies including hydroxychloroquine in ovarian cancer. Evidence level: ongoing Phase II; efficacy unknown.

Phase II · recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 2 Recruiting
HCQ Int J Mol Sci: hydroxychloroquine slowed gum (gingival) cancer cells more than tongue cancer cells in the lab
Summary

Lab study (Baroudi et al.): in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, hydroxychloroquine clearly reduced growth and colony formation of gingival cancer cells (Ca9-22) but had only a moderate effect on tongue cancer cells (SCC-9); another tongue line and normal oral cells showed no response or only non-specific toxicity at high doses. The drug blocked autophagy and changed apoptosis, mitochondrial and DNA-damage markers. Lab cells only; not tested in people.

Lab study (cell lines) · 2025
Lab study Preclinical
HCQ Cancer Gene Ther: paricalcitol plus HCQ boosted 5-FU/oxaliplatin chemo against pancreatic cancer in cells and mice
Summary

Preclinical study (Bandi et al.): adding the vitamin D analog paricalcitol and hydroxychloroquine to 5-FU plus oxaliplatin increased cancer cell death in three pancreatic cancer cell lines. In mice the combination slowed tumor growth and activated T and NK immune cells. The authors link the effect to lower integrin beta-4 and other tumor-matrix proteins and say it should be tested in trials. Cells and mice only; not tested in people.

Lab + mouse study · 2025
Animal study Preclinical
HCQ Phase III: endocrine therapy ± high-dose palbociclib and hydroxychloroquine in HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer (NCT07061717) [Pending]
Summary

Large randomized Phase III trial (estimated n≈474) comparing standard palbociclib + endocrine therapy versus arms adding hydroxychloroquine (with standard- or high-dose palbociclib). Evidence level: confirmatory-design trial planned; no results yet.

Phase III · not yet recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 3 Not yet recruiting
HCQ HCQ + methotrexate/capecitabine/bevacizumab vs regorafenib in RAS-mutant refractory mCRC (NCT06949982)
Summary

Recruiting Phase II comparing a hydroxychloroquine-containing multi-drug regimen versus regorafenib in refractory RAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. Evidence level: ongoing comparative Phase II; no results yet.

Phase II · recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 2 Recruiting
HCQ Discover Oncology: HCQ + chemo in platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer — Phase II negative
Summary

Randomized Phase II (n=59) adding hydroxychloroquine 200 mg BID to carboplatin-based chemotherapy in platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. No benefit on ORR (85% vs 80%), PFS (12 vs 11 months), or OS (16 vs 21 months) versus chemo alone; HCQ was well tolerated. Honest negative RCT; pairs with ongoing AUTOMAIN. Evidence level: randomized Phase II — negative primary endpoint. Also PMC11839959.

Phase II RCT · negative
Clinical trial Phase 2
HCQ npj Breast Cancer: Phase I HCQ with continuous low-dose palbociclib + letrozole (NCT03774472)
Summary

Open-access Phase I report: HCQ was tolerable; RP2D 800 mg/day with continuous palbociclib 75 mg/day + letrozole; best responses included 2 partial responses and 11 stable disease among 14 evaluable patients. Evidence level: single-arm Phase I; larger randomized studies needed.

Phase I published · peer-reviewed
Review
HCQ Med (Cell Press): HCQ + high-dose palbociclib after CDK4/6i failure (NCT05953350)
Summary

Phase Ib/II in 29 HR+/HER2− patients after first-line palbociclib failure. RP2D: HCQ 600 mg BID + palbociclib 200 mg daily. Reported ORR 41.4% in all enrolled; grade ≥3 neutropenia/leukopenia ~25%. Evidence level: single-arm Phase Ib/II; needs randomized confirmation.

Phase Ib/II published
Clinical trial Phase 1/2
HCQ HCQ for radiation-induced oral mucositis (NCT06939582) — recruiting
Summary

Recruiting Phase I/II randomized study of hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets versus placebo for prevention/treatment of radiation-induced oral mucositis and dysgeusia (n≈158). Supportive-care indication, not antitumor efficacy. Evidence level: ongoing supportive-care trial.

Phase I/II · recruiting · supportive care
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 Recruiting
HCQ Pretreatment HCQ before radiotherapy and chemotherapy in advanced NPC (NCT06389201)
Summary

Recruiting study evaluating hydroxychloroquine pretreatment before radiotherapy and chemotherapy in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Evidence level: early interventional; not standard of care.

Interventional · recruiting
Clinical trial Recruiting
HCQ HCQ + palbociclib/letrozole neoadjuvant ER+/HER2− breast cancer (NCT03774472) — completed
Summary

MD Anderson Phase I/II of autophagy inhibition with HCQ added to continuous low-dose palbociclib + letrozole. Completed; Phase I results published in npj Breast Cancer (see companion news entry). Evidence level: early-phase completed trial.

Phase I/II · completed
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 Completed
HCQ LY3214996 ± HCQ in metastatic pancreatic cancer (NCT04386057) — completed
Summary

Completed Dana-Farber Phase II of ERK inhibitor LY3214996 alone or with hydroxychloroquine in advanced pancreatic cancer. Evidence level: completed Phase II; review registry/publications for outcomes before drawing conclusions.

Phase II · completed
Clinical trial Phase 2 Completed
HCQ MEK inhibitor + HCQ ± bevacizumab for refractory RAS-mutant cancers (NCT06229340) — status unknown Older
Summary

Phase II study comparing leflunomide versus MEK inhibitor plus hydroxychloroquine (± bevacizumab) in refractory RAS-mutant colorectal, pancreas, or lung cancer (n≈20). Evidence level: small ongoing Phase II; interpret cautiously. Registry update: ClinicalTrials.gov now lists this trial's status as unknown (last known: recruiting; not updated since Jan 2024).

Phase II · status unknown
Clinical trial Phase 2 Unknown status
HCQ HCQ with FOLFIRI + bevacizumab in DTP-high metastatic colorectal cancer (NCT05843188) Older
Summary

Phase II study of hydroxychloroquine added to FOLFIRI and bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer enriched for drug-tolerant persister (DTP) biology. Status: active, not recruiting. Evidence level: ongoing Phase II.

Phase II · active, not recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 2 Active, not recruiting
HCQ Phase Ib/II: HCQ + high-dose palbociclib after CDK4/6i failure (NCT05953350) Older
Summary

Registry record for the Gong et al. Phase Ib/II combination of hydroxychloroquine with escalated palbociclib doses in advanced HR+/HER2− disease after CDK4/6 inhibitor failure. Evidence level: see published Med paper for outcomes.

Phase Ib/II · registry
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 See publication
HCQ Devimistat (CPI-613) + HCQ with 5-FU or gemcitabine in chemorefractory solid tumors (NCT05733000) — recruiting Older
Summary

Northwestern Phase II of mitochondrial metabolism inhibitor CPI-613 (devimistat) plus hydroxychloroquine with 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine in advanced chemorefractory solid tumors including biliary, colorectal, GEJ, and lung adenocarcinoma (n≈94). Evidence level: ongoing Phase II; efficacy not established.

Phase II · recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 2 Recruiting
HCQ COAST: multi-drug oral regimen including HCQ in solid tumors/prostate cancer (NCT05036226) — recruiting Older
Summary

Medical University of South Carolina Phase I/II testing oral combinations of hydroxychloroquine with metformin, sirolimus, and optionally dasatinib/nelfinavir in advanced solid tumors and recurrent prostate cancer (n≈76). Evidence level: ongoing multi-drug early-phase study; efficacy unknown.

Phase I/II · recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 Recruiting
HCQ HCQ + chlorphenesin carbamate with mFOLFIRINOX in pancreatic cancer (NCT05083780) Older
Summary

Phase I combination of hydroxychloroquine and chlorphenesin carbamate with mFOLFIRINOX in pancreatic cancer. Status: active, not recruiting. Evidence level: early Phase I safety study.

Phase I · active, not recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 1 Active, not recruiting
HCQ ABBY: abemaciclib ± hydroxychloroquine for MRD in breast cancer (NCT04523857) — recruiting Older
Summary

Phase II University of Pennsylvania trial testing abemaciclib alone vs abemaciclib + HCQ to target disseminated tumor cells / minimal residual disease after primary breast cancer therapy. Evidence level: ongoing randomized Phase II; results pending.

Phase II · recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 2 Recruiting
HCQ PHL stroma-modifying regimen (paricalcitol + HCQ + losartan) in pancreatic cancer (NCT05365893) Older
Summary

Fox Chase early Phase I neoadjuvant study of paricalcitol, hydroxychloroquine, and losartan (PHL) to modify stroma in resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n≈20). Status: active, not recruiting. Evidence level: small early-phase stroma-focused study.

Early Phase I · active, not recruiting
Clinical trial Early Phase 1 Active, not recruiting
HCQ Avelumab or HCQ ± palbociclib to eliminate dormant breast cancer (NCT04841148) — active, not recruiting Older
Summary

Phase II multi-arm study exploring avelumab or hydroxychloroquine with or without palbociclib to clear dormant breast cancer cells. Evidence level: ongoing interventional; efficacy not established.

Phase II · active, not recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 2 Active, not recruiting
HCQ Binimetinib + HCQ in advanced KRAS-mutant NSCLC (NCT04735068) — completed Older
Summary

Penn Phase II of MEK inhibitor binimetinib plus hydroxychloroquine in advanced KRAS-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (n=9 enrolled). Evidence level: completed small Phase II; review registry/publications before drawing conclusions.

Phase II · completed · small n
Clinical trial Phase 2 Completed
HCQ Nab-paclitaxel + gemcitabine + cisplatin + HCQ in non-metastatic pancreas cancer (NCT04669197) — completed Older
Summary

HonorHealth Phase II neoadjuvant study adding hydroxychloroquine to nab-paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and cisplatin in untreated resectable, borderline, or locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n≈19), focusing on CA19-9 normalization. Evidence level: completed small Phase II.

Phase II · completed
Clinical trial Phase 2 Completed
HCQ Nivolumab ± ipilimumab + hydroxychloroquine in advanced melanoma (NCT04464759) Older
Summary

Phase I/II of checkpoint blockade plus HCQ in advanced melanoma. Status: active, not recruiting. Evidence level: early-phase combination; await published outcomes.

Phase I/II · active, not recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 Active, not recruiting
HCQ Paricalcitol + HCQ with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel in advanced pancreatic cancer (NCT04524702) — completed Older
Summary

Emory Phase II of vitamin D analog paricalcitol and hydroxychloroquine combined with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in advanced/metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n≈10). Evidence level: completed small Phase II.

Phase II · completed · small n
Clinical trial Phase 2 Completed
HCQ [Older] Neoadjuvant gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel ± high-dose HCQ in pancreatic cancer (NCT01978184) Older
Summary

Randomized Phase II preoperative study: HCQ arm improved pathologic and CA19-9 responses but did not improve overall or recurrence-free survival. Evidence level: randomized Phase II — mixed endpoints; no survival benefit shown.

Randomized Phase II · older · mixed
Clinical trial Phase 2
HCQ Ulixertinib (ERK inhibitor) + HCQ in MAPK-mutated GI adenocarcinomas (NCT04145297) — completed Older
Summary

Utah Phase I dose-escalation of ERK inhibitor ulixertinib (BVD-523) with fixed-dose hydroxychloroquine in advanced MAPK-mutated gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas (n≈16). Evidence level: completed Phase I; early safety/dose data only.

Phase I · completed
Clinical trial Phase 1 Completed
HCQ PBTC: dabrafenib/trametinib + HCQ in recurrent BRAF-aberrant glioma (NCT04201457) Older
Summary

Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium Phase I/II adding hydroxychloroquine to dabrafenib and/or trametinib in children with recurrent/progressive low- or high-grade glioma with BRAF aberration (n≈57). Status: active, not recruiting. Evidence level: ongoing early-phase pediatric combination; efficacy not established.

Phase I/II · active, not recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 Active, not recruiting
HCQ Carfilzomib + HCQ in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (NCT04163107) — completed Older
Summary

Norwegian Phase I of proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib plus hydroxychloroquine (with dexamethasone) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (n≈19). Evidence level: completed Phase I; check publications for outcomes.

Phase I · completed
Clinical trial Phase 1 Completed
HCQ Binimetinib + HCQ in KRAS-mutant metastatic pancreatic cancer (NCT04132505) — completed Older
Summary

MD Anderson Phase I of binimetinib plus hydroxychloroquine in KRAS-mutant metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (n≈34). Evidence level: completed Phase I dose-finding; not proof of clinical benefit.

Phase I · completed
Clinical trial Phase 1 Completed
HCQ [Older] JAMA Oncology: gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel ± HCQ in advanced pancreatic cancer Older
Summary

Phase 2 randomized clinical trial in metastatic/advanced pancreatic cancer: higher response rate with HCQ but no overall survival benefit. Evidence level: randomized Phase II — response ≠ survival benefit.

Randomized Phase II · older
Clinical trial Phase 2
HCQ Gemcitabine + docetaxel + HCQ in recurrent/refractory osteosarcoma (NCT03598595) Older
Summary

MD Anderson Phase I/II of hydroxychloroquine with gemcitabine and docetaxel in recurrent or refractory osteosarcoma (n≈31). Status: active, not recruiting. Evidence level: early-phase sarcoma combination; await published outcomes.

Phase I/II · active, not recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 Active, not recruiting
HCQ CLEVER pilot: HCQ, everolimus, or both to prevent recurrent breast cancer (NCT03032406) Older
Summary

Phase II pilot of hydroxychloroquine, everolimus, or the combination for prevention of recurrent breast cancer (stage IIB+). Status: active, not recruiting. Evidence level: prevention-focused early Phase II.

Phase II · active, not recruiting
Clinical trial Phase 2 Active, not recruiting
HCQ LIMIT: dabrafenib + trametinib + HCQ in advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma (NCT02257424) — completed Older
Summary

Penn Phase I/II of hydroxychloroquine added to dabrafenib and trametinib in advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma (n≈50). Companion imaging study NCT05279027 exists. Evidence level: completed early-phase combination; review publications for final outcomes.

Phase I/II · completed
Clinical trial Phase 1/2 Completed
HCQ [Older] HCQ monotherapy in previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer (NCT01273805) Older
Summary

Completed early study of hydroxychloroquine alone in heavily pretreated metastatic pancreatic cancer; short median PFS/OS reported historically. Evidence level: older single-agent study — limited activity as monotherapy.

Early · completed · older
Clinical trial Completed
HCQ Erlotinib ± hydroxychloroquine in EGFR-mutant chemo-naive NSCLC (NCT00977470) Older
Summary

Phase II of erlotinib with or without HCQ in chemo-naive advanced NSCLC with EGFR mutations. Status listed active, not recruiting on registry scans. Evidence level: older Phase II combination; check current publications for final outcomes.

Phase II · older
Clinical trial Phase 2 Active, not recruiting

Reminder: Links and summaries are for exploration only. They do not imply safety, efficacy, or endorsement. Prefer peer-reviewed full papers and ClinicalTrials.gov records over headlines. Do your own due diligence and speak with a healthcare provider.

Edited Oct 21, 2026