Ixabepilone and Hydroxychloroquine in Treating Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer

Histologic or cytologic elements can be established on metastatic tumor aspirate or biopsy
Metastatic disease
Measurable disease according to RECIST criteria
Must have received 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic breast cancer

Anthracycline-resistant (or treated with minimum cumulative doxorubicin dose of 240 mg/m^2 or epirubicin dose of 360 mg/m^2) and taxane-resistant disease

Anthracycline resistance is defined as progression while on therapy or within 6 months in the adjuvant/neoadjuvant setting or 3 months in the metastatic setting
Taxane resistance is defined as progression while on therapy or within 12 months in the adjuvant/neoadjuvant setting or 4 months in the metastatic setting
Hormone receptor status known
No known CNS metastases or previously treated and now stable CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Menopausal status not specified
ECOG performance status 0-2
ANC ≥ 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL

Total bilirubin ≤ upper limit of normal (ULN)

If patient has Gilbert's disease, then patient must have isolated hyperbilirubinemia (e.g., no other liver function test abnormality), with maximum bilirubin ≤ 2 times ULN
AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN, independently of liver metastases
Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN
Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN OR calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception

No other active malignancy

History of basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix within the past 3 years allowed provided patient has been treated with curative intent
History of prior malignancy allowed provided patient has been treated with curative intent and has been disease free > 3 years

None of the following conditions within the past 6 months:

Myocardial infarction
Stroke
Symptomatic peripheral vascular disease
No unstable angina or NYHA class II-IV congestive heart failure
No history of psoriasis or porphyria
No history of hypersensitivity to 4-aminoquinoline compound
No retinal or visual field changes from prior 4-aminoquinoline-compound use
No history of G6PD deficiency
No GI pathology that would interfere with drug bioavailability
No motor or sensory neuropathy ≥ grade 2 (NCI CTCAE) at study entry
No serious uncontrolled medical disorder or active infection at study entry
No rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus requiring active treatment
No history of HIV
No history of any condition (social or medical) that, in the opinion of the investigator, might interfere with the patient's ability to comply with the protocol or pose additional or unacceptable risk to the patient

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

See Disease Characteristics

Prior radiation to tumor sites allowed provided:

Radiation was completed ≥ 3 weeks prior to study treatment
All radiation-related toxicities have resolved to ≤ grade 1
No more than 3 prior chemotherapy regimens in the metastatic setting
No prior ixabepilone or another epothilone
No concurrent highly active antiretroviral therapy
No other concurrent hydroxychloroquine for treatment or prophylaxis of malaria
No other concurrent anticancer investigational or commercial agents or therapies