Old malaria drug could boost lung cancer treatment
NCT ID NCT04648033
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase trial tested adding the anti-parasitic drug atovaquone to standard chemotherapy and radiation for people with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The main goal was to find the safest dose of atovaquone in this combination. Twenty-one participants received one of four doses to check for severe side effects. The study is complete, but results are not yet available.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Atovaquone (an anti-parasitic drug) combined with standard chemotherapy (cisplatin and vinorelbine) and radiation therapy
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a way to make standard lung cancer treatment more effective by targeting low-oxygen areas in tumors.
What could go wrong
This is a very early, small phase 1 trial with only 21 people, focused on safety and dosing. It is not designed to prove the combination works, and side effects may be significant.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Churchill Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals
Oxford, OX3 7LE, United Kingdom
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Guy's and St Thomas'
London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
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Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian
Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, United Kingdom