Could a diabetes drug boost immunotherapy in advanced melanoma?

NCT ID NCT03311308

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Yana Najjar Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 30, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial investigates whether adding metformin, a common diabetes drug, to the immunotherapy pembrolizumab (Keytruda) can improve treatment for people with advanced melanoma. The study focuses on reversing metabolic problems inside tumors that may weaken immune cells. Participants receive either pembrolizumab alone or pembrolizumab plus metformin to see if the combination helps immune cells work better.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and metformin
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a more effective treatment for advanced melanoma by helping the immune system fight tumors better.
What could go wrong: This is a small early-phase trial, so results may not apply broadly. The combination may cause more side effects or not improve outcomes.

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

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cutaneous melanoma melanoma metastatic melanoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ADVANCED MELANOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Univ of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States

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