Diabetes drug metformin could boost myeloma treatment

NCT ID NCT02967276

First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding metformin — a common diabetes medication — to high-dose dexamethasone can improve outcomes for people with multiple myeloma that has returned or stopped responding to prior treatments. The study enrolls adults over 18 who have failed at least two previous lines of therapy. Participants take metformin daily along with high-dose dexamethasone for six cycles, and researchers measure how many patients achieve a complete, partial, or minimal response.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
metformin and dexamethasone
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a new, affordable treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma that has stopped responding to standard therapies.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial (28 people) with no placebo group, so results may not be definitive. Metformin can cause gastrointestinal side effects, and high-dose dexamethasone has significant risks like infection and high blood sugar.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for MULTIPLE MYELOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hemocentro - Hospital de Clínicas - State University of Campinas (UNICAMP)

    Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

  • UOPECCAN - Hospital do Câncer de Cascavel

    Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.