Hydroxychloroquine in Previously Treated Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Hydroxychloroquine is approved for the treatment of non-cancerous illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematous. Researchers in the laboratory have tested tumors from patients with pancreatic cancer and have discovered that they have certain pathways inside the cells that promote growth and survival of the tumor. Hydroxychloroquine may inactivate these pathways and results in the death of pancreatic cancer cells.

Primary Objective * To determine the efficacy of single-agent hydroxychloroquine in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer previously treated with one or two prior chemotherapy regimens as measured by progression-free survival at two months Secondary Objectives * To assess tumor response rate, biochemical response rate (i.e. decrease in serum CA19-9 by \> 30%), and overall survival Translational/Exploratory Objectives * To investigate predictors of response to anti-autophagy therapy with hydroxychloroquine * To explore the kinetics of in vivo autophagy inhibition using peripheral blood WBCs to monitor autophagic activity among patients receiving hydroxychloroquine