Tests metformin to slow kidney decline in polycystic kidney disease

Trial details

Who runs it

The University of Queensland

Trial code

NCT04939935

Record updated

31 March 2026

Original description

This study will investigate if a medication (metformin) widely used in the treatment of diabetes could be re-purposed for the treatment of patients with a diagnosis of early stage ADPKD to slow the rate of kidney function decline, reducing morbidity and mortality and improving the quality of life for ADPKD patients.Read full original descriptionShow less

Implementation of Metformin theraPy to Ease Decline of Kidney Function in Polycystic Kidney Disease (IMPEDE-PKD): A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial

This study will investigate if a medication (metformin) widely used in the treatment of diabetes could be re-purposed for the treatment of patients with a diagnosis of early stage ADPKD to slow the rate of kidney function decline, reducing morbidity and mortality and improving the quality of life for ADPKD patients.

Inclusion: To be eligible to participate in this trial, patients must satisfy all of the following inclusion criteria:; Willing to participate and provide informed consent; Aged 18-70 years; Diagnosis of ADPKD based on radiological +/- genetic criteria as per Kidney Health Australia - Caring for Australians and New Zealanders with Kidney Impairment (KHA-CARI) Guidelines; eGFR equal to or greater than 38 mL/min/1.73m2 and <90 mL/min/1.73m2; And have either:; 5(a) One or more risk factors of progression from the following:; Bilateral kidney length equal to or greater than16.5 cm, or; Total Kidney Volume (TKV) equal to or greater than 750 mL or height-adjusted TKV (htTKV) equal to or greater than 600 mL/m2, or; Mayo class IC/D/E or Pro-PKD score equal to or greater than 6 OR 5(b) Evidence of Active progression; Decline in eGFR equal to or greater than 5 mL/min/1.73m2 in one year, or; Decline in eGFR equal to or greater than 3 mL/min/1.73m2 per year over five years or more. or; Increase in htTKV/TKV of equal to or greater than 5% per year on at least 2 measurements in the past year, excluding any initial eGFR effect over the initial 3 months of tolvaptan commencement (if applicable) Note: Tolvaptan therapy must have been in place for at least 6 months with stable dose for at least 3 months.

Exclusion: Currently taking metformin; Diabetes mellitus (as per American Diabetes Association definition), or other systemic conditions that may cause CKD independent of PKD (excluding hypertension); Uncontrolled hypertension (Systolic BP >160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP >100 mmHg after a period of rest); Clinically significant heart failure, including but not limited to New York Heart Association Class (NYHA) III or IV; Comorbidities with potential to contaminate trial outcomes, specifically active cancer, history of other solid organ transplantations, active chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), active inflammatory bowel disease, and the presence of stoma; History of dialysis; Non-polycystic liver disease, including but not limited to:; Liver enzymes (ALT, AST or Total Bilirubin) >2 times the upper limit of normal, except when a diagnosis of Gilbert Syndrome exists and/or,; Child-Pugh classification score equal to or greater than 5; Any contraindication to metformin including abnormal liver function tests or untreated Vitamin B12 deficiency; Pregnancy or breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant in the next three years.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04939935