Chloroquine might very well be able to increase overall survival in small cell lung cancer by sensitizing cells resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Tumor hypoxia is a well-known factor negatively influencing outcome in many solid tumors, including small cell lung cancer. Hypoxic cells are more radio-resistant, more chemo-resistant and more prone to develop distant metastases than normoxic cells. One of the mechanisms responsible for survival of these therapy-resistant hypoxic cells is (macro-)autophagy: a phenomenon in which cells provide themselves with energy (ATP) by digesting their own cell-organelles. Chloroquine is a potent blocker of autophagy and has been demonstrated in a lab setting to dramatically enhance tumor response to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and even anti-hormonal therapy. Thus, chloroquine might very well be able to increase overall survival in small cell lung cancer by sensitizing cells resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
5
Administration: * Orally * Timing: Once daily * Tablets of 100 mg * During or after meals * In case of missed dose: intake of the missed dose is still possible up until 12 hours before the next dose. * Patients should always note date and time of intake on the chloroquine monitoring form.
NKI/AvL
Amsterdam, Netherlands
VU Medical Center
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Maastricht Radiation Oncology
Maastricht, Netherlands
Maastricht University Medical Center
Maastricht, Netherlands
To determine the toxicity of adding chloroquine in escalating doses in SCLC patients: to standard dose cisplatin-etoposide in extensive disease SCLC; to standard dose concurrent radiotherapy and cisplatin-etoposide in limited disease SCLC
Time frame: 6 years
Tumor response (according to RECIST)
Time frame: 6 years
Overall survival
Time frame: 6 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.