Could a malaria drug boost chemo for pancreatic cancer?

NCT ID NCT04911816

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: West Virginia University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether adding hydroxychloroquine (a malaria drug) to standard chemotherapy before surgery can improve outcomes for people with resectable pancreatic cancer. About 40 participants will receive the drug combo, then undergo surgery to remove their tumor. The goal is to find a safe dose and see if the treatment shrinks tumors enough to improve surgical results.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) plus mFOLFIRINOX chemotherapy
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a more effective treatment approach for resectable pancreatic cancer, potentially improving surgical outcomes and survival.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Hydroxychloroquine can cause side effects like vision problems and heart issues, and the combination may not improve outcomes over standard chemo alone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

pancreatic adenocarcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS

Contacts and locations

Locations

West Virginia University Cancer Institute Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, United States

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