Combining pioglitazone and metformin to treat high-risk oral precancerous conditions

Pioglitazone-Metformin Combination Treatment for High Risk Oral Preneoplasia

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-10913404

This study is looking at how well the combination of two diabetes medications, pioglitazone and metformin, can help prevent oral cancer in people with high-risk conditions like leukoplakia, and it involves a 12-week trial where you'll take both medicines and have some tissue samples checked before and after to see how they work.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10913404 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of a combination treatment using pioglitazone and metformin for patients with high-risk oral precancerous conditions, such as leukoplakia. The study will involve a 12-week clinical trial where patients will receive both medications to assess their combined impact on cancer prevention. Researchers will analyze tissue samples before and after treatment to understand how these drugs affect the disease at a cellular level. The goal is to find a more effective approach to prevent the progression of oral cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with high-risk oral precancerous conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with low-risk oral conditions or those not diagnosed with any precancerous lesions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients at high risk of developing oral cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical trials have shown promise in using individual anti-diabetic agents for cancer prevention, but this combination approach is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Minneapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.