NCIt definition : A 4-aminoquinoline with immunosuppressive, antiautophagy, and antimalarial activities.
Although the precise mechanism of action is unknown, hydroxychloroquine may suppress
immune function by interfering with the processing and presentation of antigens and
the production of cytokines. As a lysosomotropic agent, hydroxychloroquine raises
intralysosomal pH, impairing autophagic protein degradation; hydroxychloroquine-mediated
accumulation of ineffective autophagosomes may result in cell death in tumor cells
reliant on autophagy for survival. In addition, this agent is highly active against
the erythrocytic forms of P. vivax and malariae and most strains of P. falciparum
but not the gametocytes of P. falciparum.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A substance that decreases immune responses in the body. It is used to
treat some autoimmune diseases, and is being studied as a treatment for graft-versus-host
disease. Hydroxychloroquine belongs to the family of drugs called antiprotozoals.;