Can a common malaria drug stop lupus before it starts?

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Between 15 and 49 years of age, inclusive, at Visit 1. 2. Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:80, or greater, as determined by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). 3. Participants must have at least one (but not three or more) additional clinical or laboratory criterion from the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) classification criteria. 4. Written informed consent (and assent when applicable) obtained from subject or subject's legal representative and ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. The subject meets the 2012 SLICC classification criteria for SLE at Visit 1 (i.e., ANA plus 3 other criteria, or ANA plus biopsy-proven lupus nephritis). 2. The subject has been diagnosed with another autoimmune disorder, other than autoimmune thyroid conditions. 3. The subject has fibromyalgia, based on clinical history and exam. 4. The subject has previously been or is currently being treated with oral antimalarial agents including hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, or quinacrine. 5. The subject is currently or has been treated with immunosuppressive, immune modifying, or cytotoxic medications as listed in Section 7.2. 6. Use of any investigational agent within the preceding 12 months. 7. History of primary immunodeficiency. 8. Active bacterial, viral, fungal, or opportunistic infection. 9. Evidence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. 10. Concomitant malignancy or history of malignancy with the exception of adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, or carcinoma in situ of the cervix. 11. The subject has significant findings on ophthalmological examination that, in the opinion of the examining Ophthalmologist, prevent safe use of hydroxychloroquine. 12. The subject has other contraindications to treatment with hydroxychloroquine including pre-existing ocular disease, hepatic impairment, psoriasis, porphyria, or allergy to the drug or class. 13. Co-morbidities requiring systemic corticosteroid therapy greater than 10 mg of prednisone per day, or equivalent, or a change in corticosteroid dose within the 3 months prior to Visit 1. 14. Starting, stopping, or changing the dose of over the counter or prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the three months prior to Visit 1. 15. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to practice birth control during participation in the study. 16. Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would compromise the safety of the patient or the quality of the data. 17. Inability to comply with the study visit schedule and procedures.