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Taking people in ItalyPhase 2

Tests metformin alongside standard treatment in adults with glioblastoma

Tests metformin added to standard care in adults with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma.

Key facts

Who runs it
Universita Degli Studi Di Milano Bicocca
Where
Milan, ItalySee the site
Registry title
Clinical trial on the use of metformin in addition to standard therapy in patients with high-grade glioma
Status
Recruiting
Phase
Phase 2
People taking part
25 people, planned
Started
10 Feb 2025
Planned end
1 Dec 2025
Type of study
Interventional
Record updated
3 November 2025

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (IDH wild type) who have had surgery and will get standard treatment (the Stupp protocol) plus metformin.

Age
18 years or older
Sex
Both sexes can join
Disease stage
Newly diagnosed glioblastoma, WHO grade IV, IDH wild type, confirmed under the microscope, with surgical removal planned or done. Expected to live at least 6 months. Karnofsky score above 60 after surgery.
Earlier treatment
Must be having the Stupp protocol (radiotherapy with chemotherapy). People over 70 years have a shorter radiotherapy course plus three weeks of chemotherapy. Must not already be taking metformin, insulin or other biguanides.
Biomarker or test result
MGMT methylation status (hypomethylation or hypermethylation) tested after surgery

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Glioblastoma in several places (multicentric)
  • Diabetes or diabetes-related conditions
  • Another active cancer
  • Kidney function below the limit (creatinine clearance under 60 mL/min) or liver failure
  • Allergy or intolerance to metformin, or pregnancy or breastfeeding

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 17 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Patients with newly diagnosed histologically confirmed GBM (WHO grade IV, IDH wild type) undergoing surgical resection
  • Hypomethylation or hypermethylation of MGMT evaluated post-surgery
  • Adult patients (=18 years), both sexes
  • Patients undergoing Stupp protocol including patients aged >70 years performing hypofractionated protocol and three weeks of chemotherapy
  • Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) > 60 assessed post-surgery
  • Life expectancy at least 6 months defined by tumor lesion size and location
  • Freely given written informed consent prior to any study-related activity. Patients must be able to communicate with the investigator and comply with study procedures
  • Women of childbearing age must test negative for pregnancy at enrollment and, if they have sex, must agree to use specific contraceptive methods. Female subjects of childbearing age, i.e., fertile, after menarche and until post-menopause unless permanently infertile, who are sexually active, must apply a highly effective method of birth control with a low failure rate (i.e., less than 1 percent per year), such as combined hormonal contraception (containing estrogen and progestin) combined with ovulation inhibition (oral intravaginal, or transdermal), progestin-only hormonal contraception associated with ovulation inhibition (oral, injectable, or implantable), intrauterine device (IUD), intrauterine hormone delivery system (IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner, or sexual abstinence, throughout the treatment period and for four weeks after the last dose of the study treatment. Hormonal methods other than levonorgestrel-containing devices or medroxyprogesterone injections should be supplemented with the use of a male condom. Women of nonfertile age may be included if surgically sterile or postmenopausal for at least 2 years. The investigator is responsible for determining whether the patient has adopted an appropriate method of contraception for participation in the study
  • Male subjects with female partners of childbearing age must use condoms during treatment and until the end of relevant systemic exposure

Who cannot take part

  • Patients diagnosed with diabetes or diabetes-related conditions
  • Other active malignancies
  • Hypersensitivity, intolerance to metformin or excipients
  • The patient has serious pre-existing medical conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude participation in this study
  • Impaired renal function with creatinine clearance < 60 mL/min assessed at recruitment; liver failure assessed at recruitment by clinical history and examination of ALT, AST and total bilirubin; and other contraindications to metformin use
  • Multicenter GBMs
  • Taking metformin, insulin or other biguanides, regardless of the reason
  • Pregnancy or lactation

Where in Italy

  • Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoMilan, ItalyTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Determine efficacy at the recommended dose of metformin in patients with glioblastoma. Efficacy will be assessed by PFS at 6 months after initiation of treatment. Radiographic response will be assessed by RANO (Response Assessment in Neurooncology) criteria compared with the patient's condition at baseline (MRI performed postsurgery)

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on the EU's official list of trials (CTIS).
Official title
Phase 2, open-label, single-arm study on the use of metformin as adjunctive therapy in high-grade glioma
Plain-language title
Tests metformin alongside standard treatment in adults with glioblastomaGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Record updated
3 November 2025