Could a malaria drug help fight liver cancer?
NCT ID NCT03037437
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether adding hydroxychloroquine (a malaria drug) to the standard cancer drug sorafenib could slow tumor growth in people with advanced liver cancer. 64 adults who were not candidates for surgery or transplant took part. The goal was to see if the combination delayed cancer progression better than sorafenib alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Sorafenib and hydroxychloroquine
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could slow liver cancer growth better than sorafenib alone, offering a new treatment option for advanced cases.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (64 people) with no control group for comparison. The combination may not improve outcomes and could cause additional side effects.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Texas Health Cancer Center
San Antonio, Texas, 78229, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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