Karasic TB, et al. - In this phase 2 randomized clinical trial of 112 patients, researchers examined survival outcomes among patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer following receipt of hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) added to gemcitabine hydrochloride and nab-paclitaxel (GA). They randomized patients in a 1:1 ratio to receive GA with or without HCQ. Observations revealed no improved overall survival at 12 months supporting no routine use of GA plus HCQ for metastatic pancreatic cancer in the absence of a biomarker. However, a statistically significant increase in the overall response rate from 21% to 38%, in correlation with the addition of hydroxychloroquine to chemotherapy suggesting a role of HCQ in the locally advanced setting, where tumor response may permit resection.