MEK inhibitor + hydroxychloroquine

MEK inhibitor + hydroxychloroquine is a combination therapy consisting of a MEK inhibitor (such as cobimetinib or trametinib) and hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial and immunomodulatory agent. This combination is being investigated primarily for the treatment of cancers with RAS pathway mutations, such as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). The rationale for this combination stems from evidence that autophagy—a cell survival process—is upregulated in response to MEK inhibition in cancer cells, potentially leading to resistance. Hydroxychloroquine inhibits autophagy by blocking lysosomal function, thereby enhancing the anti-tumor effects of MEK inhibitors. Preclinical models and early-phase clinical trials have shown that dual inhibition of the MAPK/ERK pathway (via MEKi) and autophagy can produce synergistic anti-tumor activity[1][6][10].

Other names

MEKi + hydroxychloroquineMEK inhibitor plus hydroxychloroquine