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Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy With or Without Metformin Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Randomized Phase II Trial of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy +/- Metformin HCL in Locally Advanced NSCLC

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02186847
Enrollment
170
Registered
2014-07-10
Start date
2014-08-01
Completion date
2025-09-04
Last updated
2026-07-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Adenosquamous Lung Carcinoma, Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma, Large Cell Lung Carcinoma, Lung Adenocarcinoma, Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, Stage IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Stage IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Brief summary

This randomized phase II trial studies how well chemotherapy and radiation therapy given with or without metformin hydrochloride works in treating patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as carboplatin and paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. Metformin hydrochloride may shrink tumors and keep them from coming back. It is not yet known whether chemotherapy and radiation therapy is more effective when given with or without metformin hydrochloride in treating stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine whether metformin hydrochloride (MET) added to chemoradiotherapy can improve progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the effects of MET on overall survival (OS), time to local-regional progression (LRP), and time to distant metastasis (DM). II. Evaluate the effect of MET on chemoradiotherapy toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4 \[CTCAE, v. 4\]) within 1 year of completion of all treatment. III. Collect biospecimens to develop biomarkers of MET activity. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 4-6 weeks, every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years, and then annually thereafter.

Interventions

RADIATIONRadiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (RT) is given in 2 Gy fractions once daily 5 days per week to a total of 30 fractions and 60 Gy. Photons required; 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) permitted. Starts within 14 days of randomization (Chemoradiation arm) or 14 days after metformin starts (Chemoradiation + Metformin arm).

DRUGCarboplatin

2 AUC (area under the curve) via IV weekly on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36 from start of radiation therapy. Two 21 day cycles of 6 AUC via IV starting 28-42 days after the end of radiation therapy.

DRUGMetformin

Metformin is taken orally. Dose escalation begins 2 weeks prior to the initiation of chemoradiation. 500 mg twice daily days 1-7 of metformin. 500 mg three times daily days 8-14 of metformin. Three times a day with the following dosage: 500mg in the morning, 1000mg at noon, and 500mg in the evening concurrent with chemoradiation and through consolidation chemotherapy (days 15-126 of metformin),

DRUGPaclitaxel

50 mg/m2 via IV weekly on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36 from start of radiation therapy. Two 21 day cycles of 200 mg/m2 via IV 28-42 days after the end of radiation therapy.

Sponsors

NRG Oncology
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer within 84 days of registration; eligible histologies include adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous, large cell carcinoma, squamous carcinoma, non-lobar and non-diffuse bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma or non-small cell lung cancer not otherwise specified) * Patients must have measurable disease * Patients must have unresectable disease, be medically inoperable, or unwilling to undergo surgical management * Appropriate stage for protocol entry, including no distant metastases, based upon the following minimum diagnostic workup: * History/physical examination, including documentation of height, weight, body surface area, and vital signs, within 30 days prior to registration * Computed tomography (CT) with IV contrast or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging (if CT scan with contrast is medically contraindicated) of the lung and upper abdomen through the adrenal glands, required within 45 days prior to registration (recommended within 30 days prior to registration * MRI of the brain with contrast (or CT with contrast if MRI is medically contraindicated) within 45 days prior to registration; note: the use of intravenous contrast is required for the MRI or CT; an MRI without contrast is only permitted if the patient has a contrast allergy * Whole-body fludeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT required within 45 days prior to registration (recommended within 30 days prior to registration; note: patients do not need to have a separate CT of the chest and upper abdomen with contrast if PET/CT imaging includes a high quality CT with contrast * Zubrod performance status 0-1 * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1,500 cells/mm\^3 * Complete blood count(CBC)/differential obtained within 14 days prior to registration on study, with adequate bone marrow function defined as follows: * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 1,500 cells/mm3 * Platelets \>= 100,000 cells/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin \>= 8.0 g/dl (note: the use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve hemoglobin \[Hgb\] \>= 8.0 g/dl is acceptable) * Adequate renal function within 14 days prior to registration, defined as serum creatinine within normal institutional limits or creatinine clearance must be at least 60 ml/min; * Adequate hepatic function within 14 days prior to registration, defined as total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for the institution and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 x ULN for the institution; * Fasting blood glucose ≤ 125 mg/dL within 14 days prior to registration; * Serum albumin \> 3.0 g/dl within 14 days prior to registration; * For women of childbearing potential, a serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to registration; * Patients with post-obstructive pneumonia are eligible provided they no longer require intravenous antibiotics at registration; * Patients must be at least 3 weeks from prior thoracotomy (if performed); * If a pleural effusion is present, the following criteria must be met at registration to exclude malignant involvement (incurable M1a disease): * When pleural fluid is visible on both the CT scan and on a chest x-ray, a pleuracentesis is required to confirm that the pleural fluid is cytologically negative; * Effusions that are minimal (i.e. not visible under ultrasound guidance) and that are too small to safely tap are eligible. * Women of childbearing potential and male participants must practice adequate contraception throughout the study;

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with mixed small cell and non-small cell histologies * Patients with distant metastasis * Prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer) unless disease free for a minimum of 3 years (for example, carcinoma in situ of the breast, oral cavity, or cervix are all permissible) * Prior systemic chemotherapy for the study cancer; note that prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowable * Prior radiotherapy to the region of the study cancer that would result in overlap of radiation therapy fields * Patients currently using metformin (metformin hydrochloride), other oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin * Patients with any history of allergic reaction to paclitaxel or other taxanes or carboplatin * Patients with a history of chronic kidney disease or lactic acidosis * Patients with \>= 10% weight loss within the past month * Severe, active co-morbidity, defined as follows: * Diagnosis of type I or type II diabetes mellitus * Uncontrolled neuropathy \>= grade 2 regardless of cause * Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months * Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months * Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy within 30 days of registration * Severe hepatic disease, defined as a diagnosis of Child-Pugh class B or C hepatic disease * Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive with cluster of differentiation (CD)4 count \< 200 cells/microliter; note that patients who are HIV positive are eligible, provided they are under treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and have a CD4 count \>= 200 cells/microliter within 30 days prior to registration; note also that HIV testing is not required for eligibility for this protocol * End-stage renal disease (ie, on dialysis or dialysis has been recommended) * Pregnancy or women of childbearing potential and men who are sexually active and not willing/able to use medically acceptable forms of contraception

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants Alive Without Progression (Progression-free Survival)From randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.Progression is defined per RECIST v1.1 as change in a known lesion(s) meeting one of the following criteria: \[1\] At least a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions such that the absolute increase must be \> 5 mm. \[2\] Appearance of ≥1 new lesions. Progression-free survival time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first progression, death, or last known follow-up (censored). Progression-free survival rates are estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. One-year rates are provided. Analysis occurred after 102 progression-free survival events were reported.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Participants Alive (Overall Survival)From randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.Overall survival time is defined as time from randomization to the date of death from any cause or last known follow-up (censored). Overall survival rates are estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. One-year rates are provided. Analysis occurred after 102 progression-free survival events were reported.
Percentage of Participants With Local-regional ProgressionFrom randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.Local-regional progression (LRP) is defined as progression within the planned treatment volume (PTV) or outside the PTV but within the same lobe(s) of the lung as the primary tumor or in regional lymph nodes. Progression is defined as change in a known lesion(s) meeting one of the following criteria: \[1\] ≥ 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions such that the absolute increase must be \> 5 mm. \[2\] Appearance of ≥1 new lesions. LRP time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first LRP, death without LRP (competing risk), or last known follow-up (censored). LRP rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. One-year rates are provided. Analysis occurred after 102 LRP events were reported.
Percentage of Participants With Distant MetastasesFrom randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.Distant metastasis (DM) is defined as the appearance of ≥ 1 new lesions at any site (including pleural or pericardial effusion) outside of the following: the planned treatment volume, the same lobe(s) of the lung as the primary tumor, or regional lymph nodes. Time to DM is defined as time from randomization to the date of first DM, death without DM (competing risk), or last known follow-up (censored). DM rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. One-year rates are provided. Analysis occurred after 102 progression-free survival events were reported.
Percentage of Participants With Treatment-related Grade 3 or Higher Adverse EventsFrom start of treatment to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.Adverse events (AE) were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0. Grade refers to the severity of the AE. The CTCAE v4.0 assigns Grades 1 through 5 with unique clinical descriptions of severity for each AE based on this general guideline: Grade 1 Mild, Grade 2 Moderate, Grade 3 Severe, Grade 4 Life-threatening or disabling, Grade 5 Death related to adverse event. "Treatment-related" is defined definitely, probably, or possibly related to treatment.

Countries

Canada, Israel, United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORTheodoros Tsakiridis

NRG Oncology

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Chemoradiation
60 Gy Radiation therapy with concurrent paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by consolidation paclitaxel and carboplatin
81
Metformin + Chemoradiation
Metformin plus 60 Gy Radiation therapy with concurrent paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by consolidation paclitaxel and carboplatin
86
Total167

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicChemoradiationMetformin + ChemoradiationTotal
Age, Customized
≤ 49
6 Participants3 Participants9 Participants
Age, Customized
50-59
22 Participants26 Participants48 Participants
Age, Customized
60-69
29 Participants35 Participants64 Participants
Age, Customized
≥ 70
24 Participants22 Participants46 Participants
American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC ) Stage, 7th edition
IIIA (M0:T1a-b,N2;T2a-b,N2;T3,N1-2;T4,N0-1)
52 Participants58 Participants110 Participants
American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC ) Stage, 7th edition
IIIB (M0: T1a-b,N3;T2a-b,N3;T3,N3;T4,N2-3)
28 Participants26 Participants54 Participants
American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC ) Stage, 7th edition
N2,TX, M0
1 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
Did the patient use cigarettes?
No
5 Participants6 Participants11 Participants
Did the patient use cigarettes?
Unknown
7 Participants8 Participants15 Participants
Did the patient use cigarettes?
Yes, but quit
47 Participants52 Participants99 Participants
Did the patient use cigarettes?
Yes, currently smokes
22 Participants20 Participants42 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
3 Participants1 Participants4 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
77 Participants80 Participants157 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants5 Participants6 Participants
Histology
Adenocarcinoma
31 Participants42 Participants73 Participants
Histology
Adenosquamous
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Histology
Non-small cell lung cancer NOS
11 Participants9 Participants20 Participants
Histology
Squamous cell carcinoma
38 Participants35 Participants73 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
5 Participants2 Participants7 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
7 Participants7 Participants14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants5 Participants5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
67 Participants70 Participants137 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
48 Participants49 Participants97 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
33 Participants37 Participants70 Participants
Zubrod performance status
0
38 Participants45 Participants83 Participants
Zubrod performance status
1
43 Participants41 Participants84 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
31 / 7634 / 82
other
Total, other adverse events
75 / 7679 / 82
serious
Total, serious adverse events
31 / 7627 / 82

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Participants Alive Without Progression (Progression-free Survival)

Progression is defined per RECIST v1.1 as change in a known lesion(s) meeting one of the following criteria: \[1\] At least a 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions such that the absolute increase must be \> 5 mm. \[2\] Appearance of ≥1 new lesions. Progression-free survival time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first progression, death, or last known follow-up (censored). Progression-free survival rates are estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. One-year rates are provided. Analysis occurred after 102 progression-free survival events were reported.

Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.

Population: Eligible participants

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants Alive Without Progression (Progression-free Survival)60.4 percentage of participants
Metformin + ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants Alive Without Progression (Progression-free Survival)51.3 percentage of participants
Comparison: The study was powered to detect an improvement of the 1-year progression-free survival rate from 50% (no metformin) to 65% (metformin) or equivalently a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.622, at one-sided type 1 error of 0.1 and 85% power with at least 102 progression-free survival events.p-value: 0.756395% CI: [0.77, 1.73]Log Rank
Secondary

Percentage of Participants Alive (Overall Survival)

Overall survival time is defined as time from randomization to the date of death from any cause or last known follow-up (censored). Overall survival rates are estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. One-year rates are provided. Analysis occurred after 102 progression-free survival events were reported.

Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.

Population: Eligible participants

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants Alive (Overall Survival)38.5 percentage of participants
Metformin + ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants Alive (Overall Survival)40.1 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.89195% CI: [0.64, 1.68]Log Rank
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Distant Metastases

Distant metastasis (DM) is defined as the appearance of ≥ 1 new lesions at any site (including pleural or pericardial effusion) outside of the following: the planned treatment volume, the same lobe(s) of the lung as the primary tumor, or regional lymph nodes. Time to DM is defined as time from randomization to the date of first DM, death without DM (competing risk), or last known follow-up (censored). DM rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. One-year rates are provided. Analysis occurred after 102 progression-free survival events were reported.

Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.

Population: Eligible participants

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants With Distant Metastases17.2 percentage of participants
Metformin + ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants With Distant Metastases20.5 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.407595% CI: [0.71, 2.34]Log Rank
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Local-regional Progression

Local-regional progression (LRP) is defined as progression within the planned treatment volume (PTV) or outside the PTV but within the same lobe(s) of the lung as the primary tumor or in regional lymph nodes. Progression is defined as change in a known lesion(s) meeting one of the following criteria: \[1\] ≥ 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions such that the absolute increase must be \> 5 mm. \[2\] Appearance of ≥1 new lesions. LRP time is defined as time from randomization to the date of first LRP, death without LRP (competing risk), or last known follow-up (censored). LRP rates are estimated using the cumulative incidence method. The protocol specifies that the distributions of failure times be compared between the arms, which is reported in the statistical analysis results. One-year rates are provided. Analysis occurred after 102 LRP events were reported.

Time frame: From randomization to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.

Population: Eligible participants

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants With Local-regional Progression17.2 percentage of participants
Metformin + ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants With Local-regional Progression20.5 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.407595% CI: [0.71, 2.34]Log Rank
Secondary

Percentage of Participants With Treatment-related Grade 3 or Higher Adverse Events

Adverse events (AE) were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0. Grade refers to the severity of the AE. The CTCAE v4.0 assigns Grades 1 through 5 with unique clinical descriptions of severity for each AE based on this general guideline: Grade 1 Mild, Grade 2 Moderate, Grade 3 Severe, Grade 4 Life-threatening or disabling, Grade 5 Death related to adverse event. Treatment-related is defined definitely, probably, or possibly related to treatment.

Time frame: From start of treatment to last follow-up. Maximum follow-up at time of analysis was 47.2 months.

Population: Eligible participants who started protocol treatment

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants With Treatment-related Grade 3 or Higher Adverse Events67.1 percentage of participants
Metformin + ChemoradiationPercentage of Participants With Treatment-related Grade 3 or Higher Adverse Events63.4 percentage of participants
p-value: 0.626695% CI: [0.47, 1.8]Chi-squared

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 14, 2026