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Biguanide

Metformin for Breast Cancer Prevention

Phase 3
Waitlist Available
Research Sponsored by Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Known breast cancer (BRCA)1 or BRCA2 mutation carrier providing that the woman has met with a genetic counselor to review genetic testing results, and has been offered the opportunity to undergo prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy
Women eligible to take tamoxifen must be offered tamoxifen prevention as part of their clinical care and have refused tamoxifen treatment
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 24 months
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial compares metformin to placebo to see if it can prevent breast cancer.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for women at high risk for breast cancer due to factors like a history of certain breast conditions, a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or known BRCA1/2 mutations. Participants must have normal blood counts and organ function, not be pregnant or breastfeeding, and willing to use birth control if menstruating. They should not have had metformin recently, no other active cancers (with some exceptions), and cannot be on specific medications like Warfarin.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study is testing whether metformin hydrochloride can prevent the development of breast cancer in patients with atypical hyperplasia or in situ breast cancer compared to a placebo. It's a phase III trial where participants are randomly assigned to either the drug group or the placebo group.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects from metformin may include digestive issues such as nausea and diarrhea, potential vitamin B12 deficiency with long-term use, and rarely lactic acidosis—a serious metabolic complication.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation and have discussed my options with a genetic counselor.
Select...
I am eligible for tamoxifen but have chosen not to take it.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 24 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 24 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary outcome measures
Test for the presence or absence of cytological atypia in unilateral or bilateral RPFNA aspirates after 12 and 24 months (24 month is optional for placebo-only group for patients who remain on placebo arm and will not receive metformin).
Secondary outcome measures
Compare Masood Cytology Score value at 0 and 12 in right and left breast from the same individual in the metformin and non-metformin group.
Correlate baseline RPPM values with presence of atypia at Month 12 and Month 24.
Test for the Masood Score and the presence of atypia or disapperance of atypia in RPFNA after 12 months (for both arms) and 24 months for Metformin arm.
+1 more

Side effects data

From 2023 Phase 3 trial • 3649 Patients • NCT01101438
45%
Diarrhea
45%
Fatigue
39%
Hot flashes
31%
Nausea
27%
Peripheral sensory neuropathy
23%
Insomnia
21%
Arthralgia
18%
Pain in extremity
17%
Headache
16%
Constipation
14%
Pain
14%
Anxiety
13%
Depression
12%
Back pain
12%
Myalgia
11%
Abdominal pain
11%
Hypertension
11%
Alopecia
10%
Anorexia
10%
Dyspepsia
10%
Bloating
9%
Weight loss
9%
Flatulence
9%
Lymphedema
9%
Cough
9%
Dyspnea
8%
Vomiting
8%
Edema limbs
8%
Dizziness
7%
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
7%
Dermatitis radiation
6%
Breast pain
5%
Weight gain
5%
Arthritis
5%
Bone pain
5%
Dysgeusia
5%
Vaginal dryness
4%
Hyperglycemia
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Metformin
Placebo

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Arm I: metformin hydrochlorideExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Patients receive metformin hydrochloride PO QD or BID for 24 months. Patients will continue metformin 850 mg PO BID for months 13-24. Patients will undergo RPFNA at 24 months. Follow up visits will be performed at 36 and 48 months after the start of treatment.
Group II: Arm II: placeboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Patients receive placebo PO QD or BID for 12 months. Patients may crossover to Arm I for months 13-24.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
metformin hydrochloride
2010
Completed Phase 3
~5940

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Alliance for Clinical Trials in OncologyLead Sponsor
512 Previous Clinical Trials
217,477 Total Patients Enrolled
National Cancer Institute (NCI)NIH
13,654 Previous Clinical Trials
40,932,992 Total Patients Enrolled
Victoria Seewaldt, MDStudy ChairCity of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
1 Previous Clinical Trials
344 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Metformin Hydrochloride (Biguanide) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT01905046 — Phase 3
Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Research Study Groups: Arm I: metformin hydrochloride, Arm II: placebo
Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Clinical Trial 2023: Metformin Hydrochloride Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT01905046 — Phase 3
Metformin Hydrochloride (Biguanide) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT01905046 — Phase 3

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Can you tell me about other research conducted using metformin hydrochloride?

"First studied in 2002 at George Washington University, metformin hydrochloride has had 3733 completed trials as of now. There are 180 active clinical trials being conducted with a notable hub of studies in Topeka, Wisconsin."

Answered by AI

If an elderly person meets the other requirements, can they join this experiment?

"According to the age guidelines set out in the clinical trial's inclusion criteria, the youngest patients that can enroll are 25 years old whereas the oldest patients that can enroll are 55 years old."

Answered by AI

Can I become a subject in this research project?

"We are looking for 161 participants, aged 25-55, who have ductal breast carcinoma in situ. Additionally, participants must meet the following criteria: -Two second or third degree relatives with either breast cancer and one or more with ovarian cancer-One first-degree relative with breast cancer and one or more relatives with ovarian cancer-PRE-REGISTRATION-INCLUSION CRITERIA-Having had a prior biopsy demonstrating atypical hyperplasia, lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)-A"

Answered by AI

Could you please provide the total number of participants for this trial?

"As of right now, this particular trial is not looking for any more participants. The original posting date was February 1st, 2015, with the most recent update happening on August 2nd, 2022. 4863 clinical trials for ductal breast carcinoma in situ and 180 trials for metformin hydrochloride are still recruiting patients if you are interested in exploring other options."

Answered by AI

Has metformin hydrochloride undergone FDA approval process?

"There is both prior clinical data supporting metformin hydrochloride's safety and efficacy, so it received a score of 3."

Answered by AI

Can you explain what conditions metformin hydrochloride is meant to manage?

"Metformin hydrochloride can be used to manage type 1 diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis, and help patients that want to improve their cardiovascular health through exercise."

Answered by AI

Are there any unfilled vacancies for people who want to participate in this research?

"The trial in question is not presently looking for candidates, as per the information on clinicaltrials.gov. This study was originally posted on 2015-02-01 and was last updated on 2022-08-02. There are, however, 5043 other clinical trials that are currently enrolling patients."

Answered by AI
~17 spots leftby Apr 2025