Repurposing Antimalarials for Oral Cancer: Selective Efficacy of Hydroxychloroquine on Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Oral cancer, the most common head and neck malignancy, has a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis largely owing to chemotherapy resistance. The adverse effects of conventional therapies have prompted investigations into safer and more effective alternative therapies. Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have shown potential owing to their roles in autophagy modulation and immune regulation. This study clarifies the selective efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine (CQ) in oral squamous cell carcinoma models, emphasizing distinct responses in gingival (Ca9-22) and tongue (SCC-9) carcinoma cells. Non-oncogenic oral epithelial cells (GMSM-K) and oral carcinoma cell lines from the tongue (SCC-9, Cal-27) and gingiva (Ca9-22) were used. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, and

SUBMITTER: Baroudi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12652187 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature