The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the addition of metformin to abiraterone on survival in patients with metastatic prostate cancer

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the addition of metformin to abiraterone on survival in patients with metastatic chemotherapy-naive prostate cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

• Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

• Patient must give written informed consent before registration.

• Age ≥18 years.

• WHO performance status 0-2.

• Tumor progression (as defined below) after at least 1 hormonal treatment (orchiectomy, LHRH agonist) with documented total testosterone levels ≤ 1.7 nmol/L (≤ 50 ng/dL). Ongoing concurrent use of LHRH agonist is required if the patient has not been surgically castrated.

• PSA progression during treatment with abiraterone (at least 12 weeks of treatment) defined as follows:

  • In case PSA levels had not decreased under treatment: ≥ 25% increase over baseline (at registration) AND an increase in the absolute PSA value of ≥ 5 ng/mL.
  • In case of PSA response < 50% under treatment: ≥ 25% increase over the nadir AND an increase in the absolute PSA value of ≥ 5 ng/mL.
  • In case of PSA response ≥ 50% under treatment: ≥ 50% increase over the nadir AND an increase in the absolute PSA value of ≥ 5 ng/mL Note: PSA progression has to be confirmed at least 1 week later. In case of confirmation the first date of PSA rise is relevant for the calculation.

• Serum potassium ≥ 3.5mmol/L.

• Adequate hematological values: neutrophils ≥1.5x109/L, platelets ≥100x109/L.

• Adequate hepatic function: bilirubin ≤1.5 x ULN, ALT ≤2.5 x ULN.

• Adequate renal function (calculated creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/min, according to the formula of Cockcroft-Gault).

• Able to swallow study drug as whole tablet.

• Patient compliance and geographic proximity allow proper staging and follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous malignancy within 2 years with the exception of localized non-melanoma skin cancer and Ta and Tis bladder cancer.
• Known CNS or spinal cord metastases.
• Active autoimmune disease requiring higher doses of corticosteroid than the equivalent of prednisone 10mg/d.
• Radiotherapy within the last 2 weeks before start of the trial treatment.
• Patients treated with anti-androgens such as flutamide or bicalutamide, if not discontinued at least 4 weeks prior to registration in case of response or in case of no response 2 weeks prior to inclusion for wash-out reasons.
• Prior treatment with metformin Prior treatment with metformin
• Diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic coma and precoma
• Concurrent treatment with other experimental drugs or other anti-cancer therapy, treatment in a clinical trial within 30 days prior to trial entry, except treatment with bisphosphonates and LHRH agonists.
• Known hypersensitivity to trial drugs or hypersensitivity to any of their components.
• Concomitant drugs contraindicated for use with the trial drugs according to the Swissmedic-approved product information.
• Uncontrolled hypertension, history of cardiac failure NYHA class III or IV.
• Serious underlying medical condition (at the judgment of the investigator) which could impair the ability of the patient to participate in the trial (e.g. uncontrolled or acute severe infection, uncontrolled diabetes).
• Active or symptomatic viral hepatitis or chronic liver disease.
• History of pituitary or adrenal dysfunction.
• Gastrointestinal disorder affecting absorption.
• Psychiatric disorder precluding understanding of information on trial related topics, giving informed consent, or interfering with compliance for oral drug intake.