Metformin to lower inflammation in insulin-resistant breast cancer survivors

Pilot-Project 1

NIH-funded research University of California Riverside · NIH-11179216

This project looks at whether taking metformin can lower inflammation in breast cancer survivors who have insulin resistance.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Riverside NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Riverside, United States)
Project IDNIH-11179216 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be asked to take standard metformin while doctors collect blood and immune cells to see how inflammation changes. The team will use advanced single-cell RNA and ATAC sequencing to track which immune cells and genes change with treatment. The work is run through City of Hope with training support for University of California, Riverside so the trial also builds local clinical-trial experience. Participation involves clinic visits for treatment and sample collection and may include follow-up testing.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults who are breast cancer survivors with insulin resistance or related metabolic issues who can take metformin and attend clinic visits are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without insulin resistance, those who are not breast cancer survivors, or those with medical reasons preventing metformin use are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could lower inflammatory signals linked to insulin resistance and possibly reduce related health risks for breast cancer survivors.

How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical work has shown metformin can improve insulin sensitivity and lower some inflammatory markers in some people, while using single-cell ATAC-seq to track immune changes is a newer, more exploratory approach.

Where this research is happening

Riverside, 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.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.