Diabetes drug could help eradicate hidden leukemia cells

NCT ID NCT02888964

First seen Jul 06, 2026 · Last updated Jul 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether adding pioglitazone (a diabetes drug) to the standard leukemia medication imatinib can eliminate remaining cancer cells in people with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Participants must have been on imatinib for at least two years and have a stable low level of leukemia cells. The goal is to see if the combination can achieve a complete molecular response, meaning no detectable leukemia cells, within 24 weeks.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
Pioglitazone (Actos) added to imatinib mesylate (Gleevec)
What this could lead to
If successful, this combination could help more CML patients achieve undetectable levels of leukemia cells, potentially allowing some to stop treatment without relapse.
What could go wrong
This is a small early-phase trial with only 27 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Pioglitazone has known side effects including fluid retention and risk of bladder cancer.

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.

chronic myelogenous leukemia, BCR-ABL1 positive Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • CH Versailles

    Le Chesnay, France

  • CHR Annecy

    Annecy, France

  • CHU Lille

    Lille, France

  • CHU Poitiers

    Poitiers, France

  • CHU Purpan

    Toulouse, France

  • CHU archet 1

    Nice, France

  • IPC

    Marseille, France

  • Institut Bergonié

    Bordeaux, France

  • St Louis

    Paris, France

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