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Study of the Efficacy of Chloroquine in the Treatment of Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (The PINC Trial)

Preventing Invasive Breast Neoplasia With Chloroquine (PINC) Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01023477
Enrollment
12
Registered
2009-12-02
Start date
2009-12-31
Completion date
2016-10-31
Last updated
2021-06-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating, DCIS, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Keywords

Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, DCIS, Carcinoma, Intraductal, Breast Cancer, Breast Tumors, chloroquine, autophagy, Autophagic Cell Death, Autophagocytosis, Programmed Cell Death, Type II, Autophagy, Cellular, Autophagic Programmed Cell Death

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that chloroquine will reduce the ability of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to survive and spread. Participants will receive either chloroquine standard dose (500mg/week) or chloroquine low dose (250mg/week) for 1 month prior to surgical removal of the tumor.

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that inhibiting the autophagy pathway in DCIS will reduce the capacity of DCIS to survive and invade. The study will examine the safety and effectiveness of neoadjuvant chloroquine administration for a one month period to patients with low, intermediate grade, or high grade DCIS. We will evaluate whether this treatment will reduce the capacity of DCIS neoplastic cells, existing within the duct, to survive, induce lesion regression, and kill the invasive DCIS progenitor cells.

Interventions

DRUGChloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/week)

Patients will receive chloroquine (500 mg/once a week) for 1 month prior to surgical removal of the DCIS lesion.

DRUGChloroquine Low Dose (250mg/week)

Patients will receive chloroquine (250 mg/once a week) for 1 month prior to surgical removal of the DCIS lesion.

PROCEDUREBreast Biopsy

Patients diagnosed with DCIS will undergo a breast biopsy prior to the start of study treatment. This biopsy is entirely voluntary and is not required to remain in the study. The biopsy will allow researchers to study the tissue for biomarkers and to determine how the DCIS tissue changes during treatment. Additional samples of the DCIS tissue will be collected at the time of surgery.

Sponsors

George Mason University
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
CollaboratorOTHER
United States Department of Defense
CollaboratorFED
U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command
CollaboratorFED
Inova Health Care Services
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients must have a tissue diagnosis of low, intermediate or high grade ductal carcinoma in situ or ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion. * Patients with ductal carcinoma in situ undergoing either lumpectomy/radiation or mastectomy. * Patients must be female at least 18 years of age. * Patients must have a signed tissue acquisition consent and have at minimum, adequate samples of primary fresh tissue or blood available for use in this study. * No history of a previous invasive cancer in the last five years with the exception of minimally invasive non-melanoma skin cancer. * Normal liver function based on Liver Function Tests (Total Bilirubin and Asparate transaminase (AST) \<1.5 X Upper Limit of Normal). * Normal White Blood Count (WBC) (3.5-10.8 x 103µL), Platelet count (PLT) (140-400 x 103µL), and Hematocrit (HCT)(37-52%) * Potassium within the normal range of 3.5-5.3 mEq/L * Adequate renal sufficiency (serum creatinine \<1.5 mg/dL). * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-2. * Are able to swallow and retain oral medication. * No underlying ocular/retinal pathology. * No medically documented preexisting auditory damage. * Subjects should be willing to abstain from use of hormonal therapies (e.g. hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptive pills, hormone-containing Intra Uterine Device (IUD)s, and E-string) and chronic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) s for the duration of the study (chronic use of NSAID's is defined as a frequency \>3 times/week for more than two weeks per year and includes low dose aspirin). * Subjects with child-bearing potential must agree to use adequate contraception (total abstinence (no sexual intercourse), use of condom with spermicide or sterilization surgery, including tubal ligation (tubes tied) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus or womb)) prior to study entry and for the duration of study treatment phase. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her study physician immediately. If a subject is of child-bearing potential (women are considered not of child-bearing potential if they are at least one year postmenopausal and/or surgically sterile), she must have a documented negative serum or urine pregnancy test before starting treatment.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with a prior history of chemotherapy, hormonal ablation therapy and/or radiation therapy. * History of other invasive cancer in the previous 5 years other than minimally invasive non-melanoma skin cancer. * Patient desires not to participate in the study. * Inability to consent. * Current or recent pregnancy (within 12 months), * Current use of hormone-containing forms of birth control such as implants (i.e. Norplants, or injectables ( i.e. depo-provera) * Currently lactating. * Patients with history of renal or hepatic insufficiency. * Current diagnosis for depression, including treatment with an Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). * History of prior treatment with chloroquine for malaria within past 24 months. * History of allergic reactions to quinolones or chloroquine. * Active diagnosis of psoriasis or currently receiving treatment for psoriasis. * History of porphyria. * History of known Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. * Alcoholism or hepatic disease. * History of epilepsy or seizures in the past 20 years. * History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. * History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and/or treatment with anti-HIV agents. * Receiving concurrent treatment with prohibited medications (refer to Table 1 for details on prohibited medications); Examples include: ampicillin, antacids, cimetidine, cyclosporine, kaolin, magnesium trisilicate, coumarin-type anticoagulants, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, isoniazid, and erythromycin), anti-HIV agents (e.g., ritonavir and delavirdine), antidepressants (e.g. fluoxetine and fluvoxamine), calcium channel blockers (e.g. verapamil and diltiazem), steroids and their modulators (e.g., gestodene, raloxifene, and mifepristone), and several herbal and dietary components (e.g. bergamottin and glabridin). * Used an investigational drug within 30 days or 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, preceding the first dose of study medication.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Average Change in the Longest Diameter of the Breast MRI Target LesionImmediately preceding study drug treatment and again after treatment prior to surgery. The total time interval was up to 8 weeksOne of the primary outcomes of this study was to measure the impact of weekly chloroquine on the amount of DCIS seen on MRI.The tumor response was evaluated by RECIST criteria. Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR), \>=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; Overall Response (OR) = CR + PR The longest diameter of the target lesion or primary area of non-mass enhancement was measured by digital calipers. For one patient, the longest diameter was difficult to measure due to the presence of a significant post biopsy resolving hematoma at the biopsy site. Further correlation was made based on the extent of the pre-treatment microcalcifications and post treatment areas of non-mass enhancement.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total Number of Treatment-Related Adverse EventsThe patients were monitored from the time of diagnosis through 6 months of surgical follow up.One of the outcomes was to ensure the safety of weekly chloroquine. Patients were followed clinically during the treatment with chloroquine and during their surgery and postoperative period ( including radiation therapy). Patients were verbally assessed for additional symptoms or concerns. Patients were also examined by the provider during treatment and follow up visits to the surgeon.
Effect of Chloroquine on Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Proliferation IndexAt the time of breast biopsy and again at time of surgery.We evaluated the effect of therapy on cellular proliferation as measured by the change in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) proliferation index. PCNA , which is elevated during the G1/S phase of the cell cycle, may be used as a marker of cellular proliferation. The PCNA proliferation index was measured as the number of PCNA positive stained cells in the DCIS lesion/ total number of cells in the lesion. The change in the PCNA index is equal to the mean PCNA proliferation index pre-treatment minus the mean PCNA proliferation index post-treatment.
Impact of Chloroquine Treatment on the Cell Signaling Kinase Levels in DCIS Lesions.At the time of surgeryThe study evaluated the effect of chloroquine treatment on the proteomic signaling profiles of the DCIS lesions. Post treatment surgical specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining to measure cell signaling kinase levels for CD68 and HMGB1. CD68 (Cluster Determinant 68) is a marker of macrophages/monocytes in the breast ducts. and HMGB1 (High Mobility Group Box 1) is involved in oxidative stress-mediated autophagy. HMGB1 is a non-histone DNA binding protein. The number of positive cells were quantified and recorded. .

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Chloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/Week)
Patients with ER+ or ER- DCIS regardless of histologic grade will be randomly assigned to receive one month standard dose chloroquine (500 mg/week). Chloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/week): Patients will receive chloroquine (500 mg/once a week) for 1 month prior to surgical removal of the DCIS lesion. Breast Biopsy: Patients diagnosed with DCIS will undergo a breast biopsy prior to the start of study treatment. This biopsy is entirely voluntary and is not required to remain in the study. The biopsy will allow researchers to study the tissue for biomarkers and to determine how the DCIS tissue changes during treatment. Additional samples of the DCIS tissue will be collected at the time of surgery.
7
Chloroquine Low Dose (250mg/Week)
Patients with ER+ or ER- DCIS regardless of histologic grade will be randomly assigned to receive one month low dose chloroquine (250mg/week). Chloroquine Low Dose (250mg/week): Patients will receive chloroquine (250 mg/once a week) for 1 month prior to surgical removal of the DCIS lesion. Breast Biopsy: Patients diagnosed with DCIS will undergo a breast biopsy prior to the start of study treatment. This biopsy is entirely voluntary and is not required to remain in the study. The biopsy will allow researchers to study the tissue for biomarkers and to determine how the DCIS tissue changes during treatment. Additional samples of the DCIS tissue will be collected at the time of surgery.
5
Total12

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicChloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/Week)Chloroquine Low Dose (250mg/Week)Total
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
5 Participants5 Participants10 Participants
Age, Continuous59 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.6
56 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.7
58 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.7
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
6 Participants4 Participants10 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
5 Participants5 Participants10 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
7 participants5 participants12 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
7 Participants5 Participants12 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 70 / 5
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 70 / 5
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 70 / 5

Outcome results

Primary

Average Change in the Longest Diameter of the Breast MRI Target Lesion

One of the primary outcomes of this study was to measure the impact of weekly chloroquine on the amount of DCIS seen on MRI.The tumor response was evaluated by RECIST criteria. Per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Criteria (RECIST v1.0) for target lesions and assessed by MRI: Complete Response (CR), Disappearance of all target lesions; Partial Response (PR), \>=30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions; Overall Response (OR) = CR + PR The longest diameter of the target lesion or primary area of non-mass enhancement was measured by digital calipers. For one patient, the longest diameter was difficult to measure due to the presence of a significant post biopsy resolving hematoma at the biopsy site. Further correlation was made based on the extent of the pre-treatment microcalcifications and post treatment areas of non-mass enhancement.

Time frame: Immediately preceding study drug treatment and again after treatment prior to surgery. The total time interval was up to 8 weeks

Population: The analysis population was the number of patients who underwent breast MRI both before and after treatment with chloroquine. (11/12 patients). The population was then further reduced to 10/12 due to the patient with a significant post biopsy hematoma. The extent of the pre-treatment DCIS could not be directly compared due to the presence of a significant hematoma.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Chloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/Week)Average Change in the Longest Diameter of the Breast MRI Target Lesion6 percentage length changeStandard Deviation 19.8
Chloroquine Low Dose (250mg/Week)Average Change in the Longest Diameter of the Breast MRI Target Lesion43 percentage length changeStandard Deviation 39
Secondary

Effect of Chloroquine on Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Proliferation Index

We evaluated the effect of therapy on cellular proliferation as measured by the change in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) proliferation index. PCNA , which is elevated during the G1/S phase of the cell cycle, may be used as a marker of cellular proliferation. The PCNA proliferation index was measured as the number of PCNA positive stained cells in the DCIS lesion/ total number of cells in the lesion. The change in the PCNA index is equal to the mean PCNA proliferation index pre-treatment minus the mean PCNA proliferation index post-treatment.

Time frame: At the time of breast biopsy and again at time of surgery.

Population: The groups were divided by chloroquine dose. Data was only available for 6 out of 12 patients.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Chloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/Week)Effect of Chloroquine on Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Proliferation Index50.4 Change in PCNA proliferation indexStandard Error 7.85
Chloroquine Low Dose (250mg/Week)Effect of Chloroquine on Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) Proliferation Index56.71 Change in PCNA proliferation indexStandard Error 8.11
Secondary

Impact of Chloroquine Treatment on the Cell Signaling Kinase Levels in DCIS Lesions.

The study evaluated the effect of chloroquine treatment on the proteomic signaling profiles of the DCIS lesions. Post treatment surgical specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining to measure cell signaling kinase levels for CD68 and HMGB1. CD68 (Cluster Determinant 68) is a marker of macrophages/monocytes in the breast ducts. and HMGB1 (High Mobility Group Box 1) is involved in oxidative stress-mediated autophagy. HMGB1 is a non-histone DNA binding protein. The number of positive cells were quantified and recorded. .

Time frame: At the time of surgery

Population: The analysis was performed stratifying chloroquine dose.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Chloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/Week)Impact of Chloroquine Treatment on the Cell Signaling Kinase Levels in DCIS Lesions.HMGB133.9 Positive cellsStandard Deviation 27.62
Chloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/Week)Impact of Chloroquine Treatment on the Cell Signaling Kinase Levels in DCIS Lesions.CD68318.3 Positive cellsStandard Deviation 172.3
Chloroquine Low Dose (250mg/Week)Impact of Chloroquine Treatment on the Cell Signaling Kinase Levels in DCIS Lesions.HMGB147.89 Positive cellsStandard Deviation 37.99
Chloroquine Low Dose (250mg/Week)Impact of Chloroquine Treatment on the Cell Signaling Kinase Levels in DCIS Lesions.CD68163.2 Positive cellsStandard Deviation 98.2
Secondary

Total Number of Treatment-Related Adverse Events

One of the outcomes was to ensure the safety of weekly chloroquine. Patients were followed clinically during the treatment with chloroquine and during their surgery and postoperative period ( including radiation therapy). Patients were verbally assessed for additional symptoms or concerns. Patients were also examined by the provider during treatment and follow up visits to the surgeon.

Time frame: The patients were monitored from the time of diagnosis through 6 months of surgical follow up.

Population: Patients who were treated

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Chloroquine Standard Dose (500mg/Week)Total Number of Treatment-Related Adverse Events0 Adverse Events (mortality, SAE, AE)
Chloroquine Low Dose (250mg/Week)Total Number of Treatment-Related Adverse Events0 Adverse Events (mortality, SAE, AE)

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 31, 2026