CHARLESTON, S.C. — Hydroxychloroquine went from a relatively unknown malaria drug just a few years ago to a highly controversial treatment for COVID-19 during the pandemic. Now, doctors are uncovering surprising ways that this repurposed medication may be the answer for treating cancer.
Although cancer cells can become resistant to hydroxychloroquine, the new findings open the door for more effective combination treatments. Simply put, researchers have discovered how to team this versatile drug with other treatments which cover up any weaknesses hydroxychloroquine may have.
As scientists race to find new weapons in the war on cancer, some are taking a fresh look at old drugs that may have untapped cancer-fighting potential. One such drug is hydroxychloroquine, which has shown promise in attacking cancer cells by disrupting their ability to recycle resources.
Despite hydroxychloroquine’s effectiveness at cutting off this vital lifeline for cancer, clinical trials have been disappointing, with cancer cells often finding ways to overcome the drug’s effects. Now, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Hollings Cancer Center believe they’ve uncovered the key to this resistance – and it isn’t what they expected.