Metformin for the Prevention of Oral Cancer in Patients With Oral Leukoplakia or Erythroplakia
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2026-03-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This phase II trial tests whether metformin works in preventing oral cancer in patients with
oral leukoplakia (white patches) or erythroplakia (red patches). Metformin is in a class of
drugs called biguanides. Metformin helps to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the
blood. It decreases the amount of glucose patients absorb from food and the amount of glucose
made by the liver. Metformin also increases the body's response to insulin, a natural
substance that controls the amount of glucose in the blood. This trial may help researchers
determine if metformin can stop changes in the mouth that are related to pre-cancer growths
in the mouth.