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Review
. 2019 Nov 25:8:2019-9-1.
doi: 10.7573/dic.2019-9-1. eCollection 2019.

Expanding horizons for clinical applications of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and related structural analogues

Ashutosh M Shukla  1   2 , Aparna Wagle Shukla  3
Affiliations
Review

Expanding horizons for clinical applications of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and related structural analogues

Ashutosh M Shukla et al. Drugs Context. .

Abstract

Several experimental and clinical studies have transformed the traditional antimalarial role of chloroquine (CHQ) and related structural analogues to potent therapeutic agents for a host of nonmalarial indications. The expanding clinical applicability for these drugs includes rheumatological and cardiovascular disorders (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), oncology, and a variety of nonmalarial infections. These clinical advancements are primarily related to pleiotropic pharmacological actions of these drugs, including immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory properties, and capabilities of inducing autophagy and apoptosis at a cellular level. Historically, many clinical benefits in nonmalarial indications were first recognized through serendipitous observations; however, with numerous ongoing systematic clinical studies, the clinical horizons of these drugs have a promising future.

Keywords: antimalarials; cardiovascular disease; chloroquine; chronic kidney disease; hydroxychloroquine; rheumatology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure and potential conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) Potential Conflicts of Interests form for the authors is available for download at http://www.drugsincontext.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/dic.2019-9-1-COI.pdf

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Simplified schematic representation of the autoimmunity, and the multistep effects of chloroquine and the related compounds in reducing autoimmunity and inflammation. TLR, Toll-like receptors; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; TCR, T-lymphocyte cell receptors; Th-1, T helper cell type 1; NFkB, nuclear factor kappa B.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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