$18 Million DOD-Funded Trial to Test Metformin for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Veterans
核心洞察
A five-year, $18 million Department of Defense (搜索) clinical trial will investigate metformin's potential to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (搜索), a life-threatening condition with median survival of just three to five years.
The groundbreaking study represents an unprecedented partnership between the VA, DOD, and Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (搜索), integrating 45-55 care centers with 10 VA medical centers nationwide.
Veterans face higher IPF risk than civilians and have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials, making this collaboration critical for expanding treatment access.
The Department of Defense (搜索) has awarded $18 million to fund a groundbreaking five-year clinical trial investigating whether metformin, a common diabetes (搜索) medication, can effectively treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (搜索) (IPF) in veterans. The study represents an unprecedented collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs, DOD, and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (搜索) to address a devastating disease that disproportionately affects military personnel.
Novel Partnership Addresses Critical Gap in Veteran Care
"Data indicates that IPF is more prevalent among Veterans than their civilian counterparts," said Dr. Bhavika Kaul, a physician-investigator at the VA Center for Innovation in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety. Dr. Kaul, a pulmonologist researcher at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston and the VA lead for the partnership, emphasized that combining resources from the three organizations will provide veterans with unprecedented access to clinical trials.
The study will integrate approximately 45-55 Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (搜索) care centers with 10 VA medical centers nationwide, creating a robust clinical trial network designed to bridge care gaps and ensure veterans receive access to cutting-edge treatments and research.
Targeting a Devastating Disease
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (搜索) affects 1 in 200 adults over age 70 in the United States, with more than 80,000-250,000 Americans currently living with pulmonary fibrosis (搜索). Approximately 25,000-50,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, and tragically, as many as 40,000 Americans die from IPF each year. If left untreated, IPF has a median survival of just three to five years after diagnosis.
Veterans face particular risk due to their age and cumulative exposures, yet have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials. "It's safe to say that pulmonary fibrosis (搜索) is of interest to the DOD because epidemiological data have demonstrated that veterans are at increased risk for disease," explained Dr. Fernando Martinez of UMass Chan Medical School, who serves as principal investigator for the study.
Repurposing Metformin for Lung Disease
The clinical trial will screen 800 patients, focusing on 400 high-risk individuals who will be randomly assigned to receive either metformin or a placebo. "Metformin has shown promise in treating IPF and is being studied for various indications due to its believed anti-aging properties," Dr. Martinez explained.
Dr. Andrew Limper, professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic, noted that metformin's potential stems from its anti-aging properties. "Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (搜索), which is what the DOD grant is targeting, is an abnormality that reflects accelerated lung aging," Limper said.
Comprehensive Research Infrastructure
The study will also define the ability of a newly developed blood test to identify IPF patients at increased risk for adverse outcomes. Key institutions participating include Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, University of Michigan, Mass General Brigham, Weill Cornell Medicine, Mayo Clinic, University of Maryland, University of Virginia, University of Southern California, University of Washington, Temple University, Tulane University, and the University of North Carolina.
"This marks a novel collaboration between the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (搜索), the Department of Defense (搜索) and the Department of Veterans Affairs—creating a model for future pulmonary fibrosis (搜索) clinical trials and expanding access for veterans historically underrepresented in this research," Dr. Kaul said.
Amy Hajari Case, chief medical officer for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (搜索), added, "With 55 of our PFF Care Center sites engaged in the study, we are proud to help move this research from concept to impact for people living with IPF."
The planning phase is currently supported by a $625,000 DOD grant, with investigators set to apply for the full $17.3 million through the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program following completion of planning milestones. Enrollment is expected to begin in early 2026.