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Implementation of Metformin theraPy to Ease Decline of Kidney Function in Polycystic Kidney Disease (IMPEDE-PKD)

Implementation of Metformin theraPy to Ease Decline of Kidney Function in Polycystic Kidney Disease (IMPEDE-PKD): A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04939935
Enrollment
1174
Registered
2021-06-25
Start date
2022-11-29
Completion date
2030-12-01
Last updated
2026-03-31

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

Conditions

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Keywords

Placebo, Metformin, ADPKD

Brief summary

This study will investigate if a medication (metformin) widely used in the treatment of diabetes could be re-purposed for the treatment of patients with a diagnosis of early stage ADPKD to slow the rate of kidney function decline, reducing morbidity and mortality and improving the quality of life for ADPKD patients.

Detailed description

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) affects 12.5 million people worldwide and is the 4th leading cause of kidney failure. Cyst growth begins in childhood, and over decades leads to painful kidneys, hypertension and chronic kidney disease. ADPKD patients also have a high prevalence of anxiety, depression and poor quality of life. Despite this enormous burden, there is a lack of evidence for therapies and affordable, effective treatment options. To date, only one disease modifying therapy is licensed for use in ADPKD (tolvaptan), but it is limited by its restricted availability, side effects and high cost. Metformin, an inexpensive and familiar drug, has been shown in previous studies to target cyst-forming signals, thereby slowing the cyst growth rate. IMPEDE-PKD is an Australian-led global Phase III randomised controlled trial to investigate the effect of metformin on ADPKD disease progression. The study will recruit a total of 1,174 adult ADPKD patients from around the world (250 from Australia). The outcomes of this research will identify effective and targeted therapies for ADPKD that will slow kidney function decline, reduce the impact of the illness and likelihood of death, and improve the quality of life for ADPKD patients and families.

Interventions

DRUGMetformin XR

Extended release metformin.

OTHERControl

Placebo is inactive tablets that is identical to the intervention Metformin tablets.

Sponsors

The University of Queensland
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Study participants, treating physicians and other care providers, outcome assessors, study investigators, and study statisticians will be blinded. An unblinded statistician will regularly review treatment allocations to ensure balance across treatment arms. The unblinded statistician will also prepare unblinded statistical reports for meetings of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board.

Intervention model description

Enrolled participants will be randomised to either (1) intervention group receiving metformin extended release (XR) plus standard of care, or (2) placebo plus standard of care.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

To be eligible to participate in this trial, patients must satisfy all of the following inclusion criteria: 1. Willing to participate and provide informed consent 2. Aged 18-70 years 3. Diagnosis of ADPKD based on radiological +/- genetic criteria as per Kidney Health Australia - Caring for Australians and New Zealanders with Kidney Impairment (KHA-CARI) Guidelines 4. eGFR equal to or greater than 38 mL/min/1.73m2 and \<90 mL/min/1.73m2 And have either: 5(a) One or more risk factors of progression from the following: * Bilateral kidney length equal to or greater than16.5 cm, or * Total Kidney Volume (TKV) equal to or greater than 750 mL or height-adjusted TKV (htTKV) equal to or greater than 600 mL/m2, or * Mayo class IC/D/E or Pro-PKD score equal to or greater than 6 OR 5(b) Evidence of Active progression * Decline in eGFR equal to or greater than 5 mL/min/1.73m2 in one year, or * Decline in eGFR equal to or greater than 3 mL/min/1.73m2 per year over five years or more. or * Increase in htTKV/TKV of equal to or greater than 5% per year on at least 2 measurements in the past year, excluding any initial eGFR effect over the initial 3 months of tolvaptan commencement (if applicable) Note: Tolvaptan therapy must have been in place for at least 6 months with stable dose for at least 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

1. Diabetes mellitus (as per American Diabetes Association definition), or other systemic conditions that may cause CKD independent of PKD (excluding hypertension) 2. Uncontrolled hypertension (Systolic BP \>160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP \>100 mmHg after a period of rest) 3. Clinically significant heart failure, including but not limited to New York Heart Association Class (NYHA) III or IV 4. Non-polycystic liver disease, including but not limited to: 1. Liver enzymes (ALT, AST or Total Bilirubin) \>2 times the upper limit of normal, except when a diagnosis of Gilbert Syndrome exists and/or, 2. Child-Pugh classification score equal to or greater than 5 5. Any contraindication to metformin including abnormal liver function tests or untreated Vitamin B12 deficiency 6. Currently taking metformin 7. Pregnancy or breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant in the next three years. 8. Comorbidities with potential to contaminate trial outcomes, specifically active cancer, history of other solid organ transplantations, active chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), active inflammatory bowel disease, and the presence of stoma. 9. History of dialysis.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)Over 24 monthsThis will be measured using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula at 104 weeks (24 months) from first dispensing date.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Annualised slope of eGFR.Over 24 monthsThe mean rate of change in eGFR from baseline over 2 years, estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) formula from the serum creatinine concentration analysed in the central laboratory.
Composite outcomeOver 24 monthsA composite outcome comprising a reduction from baseline eGFR of equal to or greater than 30%, kidney failure (defined as an eGFR \<15 millilitres/min/1.73m2), and all-cause mortality.
Severity of change in eGFROver 24 monthsThe proportion of participants with a reduction from baseline in their eGFR of equal to or greater than 30%.
Kidney failureOver 24 monthsThe proportion of participants who experience kidney failure, defined as an eGFR \<15mL/min/1.73m2.
MortalityOver 24 monthsThe proportion of participants who die during the observation period, irrespective of the cause.
Change in medication dosage during the trialOver 24 monthsThe proportion of participants requiring a dosage increase or the introduction of a new anti-hypertensive agent during the treatment period.
Changes in the urine albumin:creatinine ratioOver 24 monthsThe percentage change in the urine albumin:creatinine ratio for each participant
Presence and category change of albuminuriaOver 24 monthsThe proportion of participants who experience albuminuria (excess albumin in the urine) during the trial period. Raw values will be recorded and albuminuria will be categorised as either A1 (\<3.39mg/mmol), A2 (3.39-33.9mg/mmol), or A3 \>33.9mh/mmol.
Health-related quality of lifeOver 24 monthsThis will measured using the EuroQual 5 Domain 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire
ADPKD-related painOver 24 monthsMean change in the ADPKD Pain and Discomfort Scale (ADPKD-PDS) from baseline to end of study (dull kidney pain, sharp kidney pain and fullness/discomfort domain scores will be reported and analysed).
Gastrointestinal symptomsOver 24 monthsThis will be measured using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). A score greater than 1.33 will signal the presence of patient-significant gastrointestinal symptomatology
Presence of study-related eventsOver 24 monthsThe proportion of participants who experience a specific event related to the study treatment (sub-categorised as incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms, presence of lactic acidosis, deranged liver function tests, hypoglycaemia, anaemia and vitamin B12 deficiency) expressed as a rate per 100 person years
Healthcare utilisationOver 24 monthsIncremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICERs) will be calculated based on the incremental costs and incremental health outcomes between intervention groups

Countries

Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom

Contacts

CONTACTMisa Matsuyama, PhD
impedepkd@uq.edu.au+61 437 759 894
CONTACTPushparaj Velayudham
impedepkd@uq.edu.au+61 438 077 278
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAndrew Mallett, MBBS, PhD

Townsville University Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 1, 2026