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Updated: May 6, 2026
Combination Radiotherapy in an Orthotopic Mouse Brain Tumor Model
Published on: March 6, 2012
CONCURRENT WHOLE BRAIN RADIOTHERAPY AND SHORT-COURSE CHLOROQUINE IN PATIENTS WITH BRAIN METASTASES: A PILOT TRIAL
Harriet Belding Eldredge1, Albert Denittis, James B Duhadaway
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood PA 19096 USA [H.E., A.D.]; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood PA 19096 USA [A.D., J.B.D., M.C., G.C.P.]; New Link Genetics Corporation, Ames IA 50010 USA [R.M.]; and Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia PA 19107 USA [H.B.E., G.C.P.].
Short-course chloroquine (CQ) with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) showed high intracranial response and was well-tolerated in brain metastases patients. Further study is warranted for this combination therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiotherapy
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Chloroquine (CQ) enhances radiotherapy survival in glioma patients.
- Efficacy of CQ in brain metastases patients receiving whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and intracranial response of combining WBRT with short-course CQ in brain metastases patients.
- To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and overall survival of this combination therapy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-cohort study of 20 patients with brain metastases from lung, breast, or ovarian cancer.
- Concurrent WBRT with daily oral CQ (250 mg) initiated one week prior.
- Radiologic response assessed at 3 months; toxicity and overall survival were secondary endpoints.
- Patients stratified by IDO2 allelic status.
Main Results:
- 16 evaluable patients showed a 94% intracranial response rate (2 complete, 13 partial).
- No treatment-related grade ≥3 toxicities or interruptions occurred.
- Median overall survival was 5.7 months (range, 0.8-31 months).
- A trend towards improved survival was seen in patients with wild-type IDO2 (10.4 vs. 4.1 months, p=0.07).
Conclusions:
- Whole brain radiotherapy with concurrent short-course chloroquine is safe and well-tolerated in brain metastases patients.
- The high intracranial disease control rate supports further investigation of this combined treatment approach.
