Metformin to help prevent cognitive side effects of chemotherapy in kids with ALL
Official title: Metformin to prevent chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity among children with leukemia
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11429689 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether metformin given during leukemia treatment can protect brain development and thinking skills in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $600,871 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA316157-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11429689 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are children with ALL starting chemotherapy who are at risk for cognitive impairment and whose guardians consent to metformin alongside standard treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients for whom metformin is unsuitable or unsafe, or who do not meet study criteria, may not experience cognitive protection and could face additional treatment considerations.
What this research studies
This project focuses on children undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia who are at risk for chemotherapy-related cognitive problems. The investigators build on early biomarkers and cognitive tests to see if metformin can help protect neural development during therapy. The approach includes concurrent metformin administration with standard chemotherapy and monitoring cognitive outcomes and CSF biomarkers over time. If successful, this could lead to a new way to preserve thinking skills and quality of life for survivors from a very young age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children receiving treatment for ALL may retain better cognitive function and quality of life during and after therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest potential cognitive benefits of metformin, but this specific prevention approach in ALL-related CRCI is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cole, Peter D. — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Cole, Peter D.
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.