Using metformin to prevent lung cancer in obese ex-smokers
Official title: Metformin for chemoprevention of lung cancer in obese subjects at high risk
Funded at Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp · NIH-10898815 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether metformin, a medication often used for diabetes, can help prevent lung cancer in people who are overweight or obese and have smoked in the past, by seeing how it might improve the immune system in their lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $628,294 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA255515-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898815 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are obese or overweight ex-smokers who are at high risk for developing lung cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or obese, or who have never smoked, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of metformin, a common diabetes medication, to prevent lung cancer in individuals who are overweight or obese and have a history of smoking. The study focuses on understanding how obesity affects the immune environment in the lungs and how metformin may reverse these changes to reduce cancer risk. By examining the immunological effects of metformin, the research aims to establish its role as a chemopreventive agent specifically for those at high risk of lung cancer due to their weight and smoking history.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new preventive treatment option for lung cancer in a significant population of high-risk individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results for metformin in cancer prevention, particularly in obese populations, suggesting a potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
Buffalo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yendamuri, Saikrishna — Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corp
- Study coordinator: Yendamuri, Saikrishna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Metformin to reduce lung cancer risk in overweight or obese former smokers
This project will see whether the common diabetes pill metformin can help prevent lung cancer in overweight or obese people who used to smoke.
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Proteomics-guided matching of lung cancer tumors to preclinical models
This grant aims to improve how we match a patient’s lung cancer tumor to the right preclinical models using protein data.
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.