Could a malaria drug and a transplant drug keep breast cancer from returning?

NCT ID NCT03032406

First seen Jun 29, 2026 · Last updated Jun 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot trial investigates whether hydroxychloroquine (a malaria drug) and everolimus (an immune-suppressing drug), taken alone or together, can help prevent breast cancer from returning in high-risk patients. The study enrolls people who have completed primary treatment for stage IIB breast cancer but still have cancer cells in their bone marrow. The main goal is to see if the treatment is safe and tolerable enough to continue testing.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Hydroxychloroquine and everolimus

What this could lead to

If successful, this approach could point toward a new strategy to prevent breast cancer from coming back in patients who have completed initial treatment.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase pilot trial focused on feasibility and safety, not effectiveness. The drugs may cause side effects, and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted enrollment.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

breast cancer breast neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States