Testing a common diabetes drug for a rare abdominal cancer condition

This research trial is testing whether metformin, a medication commonly used to treat diabetes, might help slow or control pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP)—a rare cancer that develops in the appendix and spreads mucus-like material throughout the abdomen. You would take the medication daily for up to 18 months while researchers track how well it works and how your body tolerates it. This is an early-stage study with a small group of patients to see if this approach is feasible and safe.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei is a rare and difficult-to-treat cancer, and many current treatment options have limited effectiveness, especially for patients whose disease comes back or cannot be surgically removed. Researchers believe this medication might help because it has shown promise in laboratory studies of similar cancers, so they want to test whether it could offer a new option for patients with few other choices.