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The Potential for Metformin to Improve Tumor Oxygenation in Locally Advanced Cervix Cancer: A Phase II Randomized Trial

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Carcinoma, Adenosquamous
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT02394652
Lead Sponsor
University Health Network, Toronto
Brief Summary

Cervical cancer remains an important health problem worldwide. Poor tumor oxygenation (hypoxia) is associated with inferior survival in cervical cancer and resistance to radiation treatment. Hypoxia-modifying therapies improve survival, but existing therapies are impractical and/or toxic. Metformin, a non-toxic drug for diabetes, has been shown to decrease tumor hypoxia in animal studies and its use is associated with better survival in diabetic cancer patients. It is hypothesized that metformin may decrease cervical tumor hypoxia and thereby improve tumor response to radiation and survival in patients with locally advanced cervix cancer.

This is a randomized, multicenter phase II study of standard chemoradiation in combination with metformin versus standard chemoradiation alone in women with locally advanced cervix cancer. Women randomized to the metformin group will take metformin starting 1 week prior to standard chemoradiation and throughout the duration of external radiation treatment. Tumor hypoxia will be measured by a special X-ray test called positron emission test (PET) performed with a hypoxia dye called FAZA. The main purpose of this study is to see if metformin decreases tumor hypoxia measured on FAZA-PET; information about response and side effects will also be collected.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
16
Inclusion Criteria
  • Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix, FIGO stage IB2-IVA
  • Planned for radical radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy.
  • Able to receive weekly cisplatin.
  • No prior anticancer treatment for cervical cancer
  • ECOG 0 or 1
  • Life expectancy of greater than 3 months.
  • Normal organ and marrow function
  • Able to take oral medications.
  • Ability to understand and willing to sign the consent form
  • Willing to undergo biopsies of cervical tumor.
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Evidence of distant metastases
  • Receiving any other investigational agents concurrently or within 4 weeks.
  • Known diabetes mellitus.
  • Currently taking metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones or insulin.
  • History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to metformin or cisplatin.
  • Any condition associated with increased risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis
  • Uncontrolled inter-current illness
  • Pregnant women
  • History of another invasive malignancy, except for non-melanoma skin cancer or tumors curatively treated with no evidence of disease for >=5 years.
  • Known HIV-positive
  • History of bowel obstruction or malabsorption syndromes
  • History of active clinically significant bleeding
  • Contraindications to radiotherapy
  • Taking drug disulfiram (antabuse).
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Experimental: Metformin with Standard ChemoradiationFAZAMetformin: About 1 week prior to the start of chemoradiation, take 850 mg of metformin, orally, once a day for 3 days, followed by 850 mg twice a day and continued for the duration of external radiation. Chemoradiation: Cisplatin will be given intravenously at 40 mg/m2 week for 5 doses, concomitantly with external beam radiation. FAZA-PET scan at baseline and after about 1 week of metformin (just prior to the start of chemoradiation)
Standard ChemoradiationFAZAChemoradiation: Cisplatin will be given intravenously at 40 mg/m2 week for 5 doses, concomitantly with external beam radiation. FAZA-PET scan at baseline and about 1 week later (just prior to the start of chemoradiation).
Experimental: Metformin with Standard ChemoradiationMetforminMetformin: About 1 week prior to the start of chemoradiation, take 850 mg of metformin, orally, once a day for 3 days, followed by 850 mg twice a day and continued for the duration of external radiation. Chemoradiation: Cisplatin will be given intravenously at 40 mg/m2 week for 5 doses, concomitantly with external beam radiation. FAZA-PET scan at baseline and after about 1 week of metformin (just prior to the start of chemoradiation)
Experimental: Metformin with Standard ChemoradiationCisplatinMetformin: About 1 week prior to the start of chemoradiation, take 850 mg of metformin, orally, once a day for 3 days, followed by 850 mg twice a day and continued for the duration of external radiation. Chemoradiation: Cisplatin will be given intravenously at 40 mg/m2 week for 5 doses, concomitantly with external beam radiation. FAZA-PET scan at baseline and after about 1 week of metformin (just prior to the start of chemoradiation)
Standard ChemoradiationCisplatinChemoradiation: Cisplatin will be given intravenously at 40 mg/m2 week for 5 doses, concomitantly with external beam radiation. FAZA-PET scan at baseline and about 1 week later (just prior to the start of chemoradiation).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
• Change in fractional hypoxic volume of the tumor on FAZA-PET scan before and after 1 week of metformin.About 7 days
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Disease-free survival2 years
Biomarkers of response to metformin.2 years
Acute and late gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities following metformin and chemoradiation.2 years
Effect of metformin on endogenous hypoxia and other markers.About 7 days

Trial Locations

Locations (5)

Tom Baker Cancer Centre

🇨🇦

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Centre Hospitalier De L'Université de Montréal

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Cross Cancer Institute

🇨🇦

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

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