Effect of Metformin on Breast Cancer Metabolism

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose Metformin, a drug that has been used since the 1950's in the treatment of diabetes, has recently generated great interest in its anticancer effects based on in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. This study assesses the pharmacodynamic effects of metformin on breast cancer metabolism. The trial design is based on a 2 centre study 'Early Antiangiogenic Response to Bevacizumab in Primary Breast Cancer' that is about to successfully complete recruitment in Oxford and Mount Vernon hospitals. The study takes advantage of the 2 week window between the first clinic visit and commencement of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Metformin will be given to patients for at least 2 weeks prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a set of 3 breast core biopsies, a PET-CT scan and blood tests carried out before and after this 2 week period of treatment. Patients will also receive a drink of heavy (deuterated) water, a safe and stable isotope commonly used in clinical lipid metabolism studies, the evening prior to both sets of core biopsies. Having completed the first 2 weeks of metformin patients will have the option of continuing metformin until completion of chemotherapy, at the discretion of the trial physician. The core biopsies will then be used to assess for changes in: - immunohistochemical staining; - gene profiles; - uptake of heavy water into tumour fatty acids using mass spectrometry techniques. The aim is to identify potential biomarkers of response to metformin (and other future cancer metabolism drugs).
ConditionBreast Cancer
InterventionDrug: Metformin
PhasePhase 2
SponsorOxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Responsible PartyOxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT01266486
First ReceivedDecember 23, 2010
Last UpdatedMarch 28, 2013
Last verifiedMarch 2013

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateDecember 23, 2010
Last Updated DateMarch 28, 2013
Start DateMay 2011
Estimated Primary Completion DateMarch 2014
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresMeasure Metformin Induced effects in phosphorylation of S6K, 4E-BP-1 and AMPK via immunohistochemical analysis [Time Frame: after 14-21 days of daily metforming dosing] [Designated as safety issue: No]
Current Secondary Outcome Measures
  • Measure fatty acid desaturation and deuterated water uptake into fatty acids at baseline and after 2 weeks of metformin. [Time Frame: Day 14-21 after starting metformin dosing] [Designated as safety issue: No]
  • Measure baseline and induced effect of metformin on upstream and downstream members of AMPK family via gene array analysis. [Time Frame: 14-21 days after start daily metformin dosing] [Designated as safety issue: No]

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleEffect of Metformin on Breast Cancer Metabolism
Official TitleA Phase 2 Single Arm Study to Examine the Effects of Metformin on Cancer Metabolism in Patients With Early Stage Breast Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Brief Summary
Metformin, a drug that has been used since the 1950's in the treatment of diabetes, has
recently generated great interest in its anticancer effects based on in vitro, in vivo and
clinical studies. This study assesses the pharmacodynamic effects of metformin on breast
cancer metabolism.

The trial design is based on a 2 centre study 'Early Antiangiogenic Response to Bevacizumab
in Primary Breast Cancer' that is about to successfully complete recruitment in Oxford and
Mount Vernon hospitals. The study takes advantage of the 2 week window between the first
clinic visit and commencement of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Metformin will be given to
patients for at least 2 weeks prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a set of 3 breast core
biopsies, a PET-CT scan and blood tests carried out before and after this 2 week period of
treatment. Patients will also receive a drink of heavy (deuterated) water, a safe and stable
isotope commonly used in clinical lipid metabolism studies, the evening prior to both sets
of core biopsies. Having completed the first 2 weeks of metformin patients will have the
option of continuing metformin until completion of chemotherapy, at the discretion of the
trial physician.

The core biopsies will then be used to assess for changes in:

- immunohistochemical staining;

- gene profiles;

- uptake of heavy water into tumour fatty acids using mass spectrometry techniques.

The aim is to identify potential biomarkers of response to metformin (and other future
cancer metabolism drugs).
Detailed Description
Metformin is a safe and well tolerated drug that has been widely used in the treatment of
diabetes for over 50 years. There is now growing evidence from in vitro laboratory and
animal work that metformin has anticancer properties. In addition a retrospective clinical
study in a diabetic population has demonstrated evidence of markedly increased pathological
response rates (a typically robust surrogate clinical endpoint of efficacy) to pre-surgical
chemotherapy in early breast cancer for patients that were also taking metformin as part of
their diabetes treatment.

There are several studies of metformin in cancer patients ongoing or being developed
worldwide These are predominantly in relatively unselected cancer populations and with
clinical outcomes as endpoints. However this study is the only study currently planned which
will carry out a substantial assessment of pharmacodynamic endpoints. It is important that
this study is carried out at an early stage in the development of metformin as a potential
cancer therapy in order to ensure that future large scale studies are properly informed.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 2
Study DesignEndpoint Classification: Pharmacodynamics Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Basic Science
ConditionBreast Cancer
InterventionDrug: Metformin
Extended release Metformin 1500mg once daily for 14-21 days
Other Names:
Glucophage XR
Study Arm (s)Experimental: Metformin

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusRecruiting
Estimated Enrollment40
Estimated Completion DateMarch 2014
Estimated Primary Completion DateMarch 2014
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Women with histology proven locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) or tumours >3 cm in
diameter.

- ECOG performance status 0-1.

- Age ≥18 years.

- No prior treatment for breast cancer and scheduled to commence neoadjuvant
chemotherapy in <3 weeks time.

- Have given written informed consent and are capable of cooperating with protocol.

- Adequate bone marrow, renal and liver function.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Radiotherapy, major surgery, significant traumatic injury, endocrine therapy,
immunotherapy, chemotherapy or experimental therapy during four weeks prior to
starting or during trial.

- Pregnancy or breast feeding

- History of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

- Serum glucose greater than 7.0 mMol/L.

- Treatment with metformin in the past year.

- Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <45ml/min.

- Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis

- Known hypersensitivity to metformin

- Other psychological, social or medical condition, physical examination finding or a
laboratory abnormality that the Investigator considers would make the patient a poor
trial candidate or could interfere with protocol compliance or the interpretation of
trial results.
GenderBoth
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsContact: Adrian L Harris, MBChB FRCP
+44 (0) 1865 235310
earlyphasehub@oncology.ox.ac.uk
Location CountriesUnited Kingdom

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT01266486
Other Study ID NumbersEP-TSC-647
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNo
Information Provided ByOxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
Study SponsorOxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
CollaboratorsCancer Research UK
Investigators Principal Investigator: Adrian Harris The University of Oxford
Verification DateMarch 2013

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Mount Vernon Centre for Cancer Treatment, Rickmansworth Road
Northwood, Middlesex, United Kingdom, HA6 2RN
Contact: Andreas Makris | +44 (0) 1923 844723 | andreas.makris@hotmail.com
Principal Investigator: Andreas Makris
Recruiting
Dept Oncology, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Headington
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, OX3 7LJ
Contact: Simon lord | 01865 235302 | earlyphasehub@oncology.ox.ac.uk
Principal Investigator: Adrian L Harris, BSc DPhil
Recruiting
Surgery and Molecular Oncology Ninewells Hospital
Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom, DD1 9SY
Contact: Alaister Thompson | +44 (0) 1382 632565 | a.m.thompson@dundee.ac.uk
Principal Investigator: Alistair Thompson
Not yet recruiting