Malaria Drug May Fight Metastatic Breast Cancer

Preliminary research suggests that a very old drug might help women with metastatic breast cancer. Chloroquine has been used since 1947 to prevent or treat malaria. Scientists became intrigued with its potential anti-cancer activity when a study of malaria therapy in Tanzania was associated with a dramatic drop in the incidence of the cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma. Researchers are investigating the use of choloroquine against several cancers, including small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma and glioblastoma. Mouse research on its use for metastatic breast cancer has been promising. Now scientists are about to try it in a group of nearly 50 women whose breast cancer has stopped responding to standard therapy. This pilot trial will last 6 months.