PI4 - A Trial Assessing Metformin to Prolong Gestation in Preterm Preeclampsia

NCT ID: NCT06033131

Last Updated: 2025-04-09

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE3

Total Enrollment

294 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-01-19

Study Completion Date

2029-07-31

Brief Summary

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Preterm preeclampsia is a severe condition for both the mother and the fetus. Currently, the only treatment available to stop disease progression is termination/delivery of the fetus and placenta. Therefore, preterm preeclampsia carries the highest rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality due to iatrogenic preterm birth. There is evidence suggesting metformin, a drug commonly used to treat diabetes in and outside pregnancy, may be able to counter the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, raising the possibility that it could be used to treat the condition. This multi centre double blind randomised controlled trial aims to investigate if metformin can prolong gestation, lower neonatal length of stay and increase birthweight in a Swedish setting.

Detailed Description

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Preeclampsia is globally responsible for 60,000 maternal deaths per year, and far greater numbers of fetal losses. Preterm preeclampsia is a severe variant with the highest rates of neonatal morbidity and mortality due to iatrogenic preterm birth (clinicians are forced to deliver the baby preterm for maternal or fetal health reasons).

There is preclinical evidence suggesting metformin, a drug commonly used to treat diabetes in and outside pregnancy, may be able to counter the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, raising the possibility that it could be used to treat the condition.

Previous research from the Preeclampsia Intervention 2 trial (PI2) show that metformin was able to delay delivery in early preterm preeclampsia. Metformin extended release (ER) was associated with a median 7.6-day prolongation of pregnancy (geometric mean ratio (GMR) 1.39 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.96) P=0.057).Trends towards increased birthweight (mean difference 110gm (95%CI -80 to 300), a decreased length of stay at the neonatal intensive care unit (median difference 5.0 days less; GMR 0.86, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.2) and a shorter period of admission in any neonatal ward (median difference 12.0 days less; GMR 0.82, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.18) in the metformin ER group were found. Importantly, while gastrointestinal side effects were common, no serious adverse events related to trial medications were observed.

The PI 2 trial has shown that metformin may be a disease modifying treatment for preterm preeclampsia. The trial is being repeated in a larger scale in the PI3 trial in South Africa to also assess neonatal outcomes. In Sweden, the demographics of the population are different and expectant management of preeclampsia allows for the women to reach 37 weeks of gestation as opposed to 34 weeks of gestation in the PI2 trial. This trial aims to investigate if metformin can prolong gestation, lower neonatal length of stay and increase birthweight in a Swedish setting. Follow up of mothers and children will be carried out two years post partum.

Conditions

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Preeclampsia

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators

Study Groups

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Metformin ER

Metformin ER oral tablet 500 mg three times daily and increased to one gram (two tablets) three times daily as tolerated.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Metformin ER

Intervention Type DRUG

Metformin ER, one gram three times daily taken orally. Once the participants have been recruited, they will start by taking one 500 mg tablet three times a day. If well tolerated it will be increased day two to a maximum of two tablets three times a day. Treatment will continue until delivery. If there are side effects that are not tolerable, the dose will be decreased and the participant will remain blinded. Each participant will keep a treatment diary and number of tablets taken will be documented by the participant or hospital staff. The study will not alter or interfere with treatment or care routinely given for preterm preeclampsia.

Placebo

1 placebo tablet three times daily and increased to 2 placebo tablets three times daily as tolerated.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo, two tablets three times daily taken orally. Once the participants have been recruited, they will start by taking one tablet three times a day. If well tolerated it will be increased day two to a maximum of two tablets three times a day. Treatment will continue until delivery. If there are side effects that are not tolerable, the dose will be decreased and the participant will remain blinded. Each participant will keep a treatment diary and number of tablets taken will be documented by the participant or hospital staff. The study will not alter or interfere with treatment or care routinely given for preterm preeclampsia.

Interventions

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Metformin ER

Metformin ER, one gram three times daily taken orally. Once the participants have been recruited, they will start by taking one 500 mg tablet three times a day. If well tolerated it will be increased day two to a maximum of two tablets three times a day. Treatment will continue until delivery. If there are side effects that are not tolerable, the dose will be decreased and the participant will remain blinded. Each participant will keep a treatment diary and number of tablets taken will be documented by the participant or hospital staff. The study will not alter or interfere with treatment or care routinely given for preterm preeclampsia.

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo

Placebo, two tablets three times daily taken orally. Once the participants have been recruited, they will start by taking one tablet three times a day. If well tolerated it will be increased day two to a maximum of two tablets three times a day. Treatment will continue until delivery. If there are side effects that are not tolerable, the dose will be decreased and the participant will remain blinded. Each participant will keep a treatment diary and number of tablets taken will be documented by the participant or hospital staff. The study will not alter or interfere with treatment or care routinely given for preterm preeclampsia.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Glucophage SR 500 mg prolonged release tablets

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* A diagnosis of preeclampsia (defined as hypertension in combination with significant proteinuria (albumin/creatinine ratio \>8 mg/mmol, protein/creatinine ratio\>30 mg/mmol or \>2+ protein on a urinary dipstick) has been made by the attending clinician
* The managing clinicians have made the assessment to proceed with expectant management.
* The subject has given written consent to participate in the study.
* The woman must be 18 years of age or older
* The gestational age is between 22+0 weeks to 33+6 weeks with a viable fetus
* The woman carries a singleton pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria

* Contraindications to treatment with metformin as outlined in SmPC
* Contraindications for expectant management of preeclampsia such as an immediate indication for delivery according to SFOG guidelines for preeclampsia (https://www.sfog.se/media/338533/pe-riktlinje-230214.pdf).
* Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
* Current use of metformin
* Known or suspected allergies against metformin
* Reluctance or language difficulties that result in difficulty understanding the meaning of study participation
* Unable to understand the informed consent process
* Previous participation in the study
* Established fetal compromise that necessitates imminent delivery (including planned delivery after 48 hours of corticosteroid treatment). This will be decided by the clinical team before expectant management is offered to the patient.
* Suspicion of a major known fetal anomaly or malformation.
* Renal disease or dysfunction, suggested by a creatinine level greater than or equal to 125 µmol/L or rapidly declining renal function
* Known acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis
* Not suitable for inclusion by the opinion of the investigator
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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The Swedish Research Council

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

Lina Bergman

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Lina Bergman

Senior consultant, Associate Professor

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Lina Bergman, Associate professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Locations

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Falu Lasarett

Falun, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Gothenburg, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Linköping University Hospital

Linköping, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Skåne University Hospital

Lund, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Skåne University Hospital

Malmo, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge

Stockholm, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Karolinska University Hospital Solna

Stockholm, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Danderyd Hospital

Stockholm, , Sweden

Site Status NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Uppsala University Hospital

Uppsala, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Sweden

Central Contacts

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Lina Bergman, Associate Professor

Role: CONTACT

0046-3134307

Pia Gudmundsson, PhD

Role: CONTACT

0046-313434327

Facility Contacts

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Susanne Hesselman, PhD

Role: primary

0046-23492351

Lina Bergman, Associate professor

Role: primary

0046-3134307

Pia Gudmundsson, PhD

Role: backup

Caroline Lilliecreutz, Associate professor

Role: primary

0046-101034909

Marie Blomberg, Professor

Role: backup

Simon Timpka, Associate professor

Role: primary

0046-46171000

Emma von Wowern, PhD

Role: backup

004640336809

Simon Timpka, Ass Prof

Role: primary

0046-46171000

Anna Sandström, Associate Professor

Role: primary

0046-739829820

Ängla Mantel, Associate Professor

Role: backup

Anna Sandström, Associate Professor

Role: primary

0046-739829820

Ängla Mantel, Associate Professor

Role: backup

Sophia Brismar Wendel, Associate Professor

Role: primary

0046-722024895

Hugo Aronzon

Role: backup

Linda Lindström, PhD

Role: primary

0046-186115729

References

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Chappell LC, Cluver CA, Kingdom J, Tong S. Pre-eclampsia. Lancet. 2021 Jul 24;398(10297):341-354. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)32335-7. Epub 2021 May 27.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34051884 (View on PubMed)

Abalos E, Cuesta C, Grosso AL, Chou D, Say L. Global and regional estimates of preeclampsia and eclampsia: a systematic review. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013 Sep;170(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.05.005. Epub 2013 Jun 7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23746796 (View on PubMed)

Cluver CA, Hiscock R, Decloedt EH, Hall DR, Schell S, Mol BW, Brownfoot F, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Walker SP, Tong S. Use of metformin to prolong gestation in preterm pre-eclampsia: randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2021 Sep 22;374:n2103. doi: 10.1136/bmj.n2103.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34551918 (View on PubMed)

Brownfoot FC, Hastie R, Hannan NJ, Cannon P, Tuohey L, Parry LJ, Senadheera S, Illanes SE, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Tong S. Metformin as a prevention and treatment for preeclampsia: effects on soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and soluble endoglin secretion and endothelial dysfunction. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Mar;214(3):356.e1-356.e15. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.12.019. Epub 2015 Dec 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26721779 (View on PubMed)

Hu J, Zhang J, Zhu B. Protective effect of metformin on a rat model of lipopolysaccharide-induced preeclampsia. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2019 Dec;33(6):649-658. doi: 10.1111/fcp.12501. Epub 2019 Aug 13.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31334867 (View on PubMed)

Wang F, Cao G, Yi W, Li L, Cao X. Effect of Metformin on a Preeclampsia-Like Mouse Model Induced by High-Fat Diet. Biomed Res Int. 2019 Dec 7;2019:6547019. doi: 10.1155/2019/6547019. eCollection 2019.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31886236 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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EU Trial nr: 2022-502707-2-00

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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