Recruiting

Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Counseling, Varenicline, Bupropion

Sponsor:

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Code:

NCT04604509

Conditions

Cigarette Smoking-Related Carcinoma

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Bupropion Hydrochloride Controlled-release

Nicotine Replacement

Questionnaire Administration

Tobacco Cessation Counseling

Varenicline

Study Details

Brief summary:

This phase IV trial investigates how to personalize treatments (such as medications and/or counseling) for quitting smoking based on the unique character traits of participants. Nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and/or drugs such as varenicline and bupropion may help participants quit smoking or change smoking behavior. This trial may also help doctors individualize smoking cessation treatment for participants who do not quit smoking after the first course of treatment.

Conditions

Cigarette Smoking-Related Carcinoma

Study ID

NCT04604509

Start date

Aug 4, 2020

Status verified date

Apr, 2026

Completion date

Dec 31, 2028

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 31, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Smoking 5 or more cigarettes, little cigars and/or cigarillos per day, on average, within the past 30 days preceding the screening visit and expired carbon monoxide (CO) ≥ 6 ppm and/or a urine Nic Check test > 0 (or a reading of positive if an alternate nicotine test used)
  • Interested in treatment that might change smoking behavior or help them quit smoking
  • Able to follow verbal and written instructions in English and complete all aspects of the study
  • Provide informed consent and agree to all assessments and study procedures
  • Have an address and telephone number where they may be reached
  • Subjects must report current stable residence in the state of Texas and must not have plans to move out of state in the next 6 months. Stable residence is a domicile in which an individual can operate as if it were his or her own homestead and does not include shelters, halfway houses, treatment centers, or group homes
  • Be the only participant in their household currently receiving treatment on this protocol
  • Agree to be treated via telehealth (live audio-video conference and phone) and to be contacted via text and/or email
  • Willing to refrain from the use of other nicotine/tobacco products for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current enrollment or plans to enroll in another smoking cessation program during the study time frame, including plans to use other smoking cessation medications (i.e., over the counter \[OTC\] or prescription medication for smoking cessation) or smoking cessation treatments
  • Serious or unstable medical or psychiatric disorder within the past 3 months, as determined by the study physician
  • Being pregnant, engaging in breast-feeding, or being of childbearing potential and engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy and is not protected by a medically acceptable, effective method of birth control while enrolled in the study, as determined by self-report. Medically acceptable contraceptives include: (1) approved hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills, patches, implants or injections), (2) barrier methods (such as a condom or diaphragm) used with a spermicide, or (3) an intrauterine device (IUD). Contraceptive measures sold for emergency use after unprotected sex are not acceptable methods for routine use
  • Current use of certain medications:

  • Smoking cessation meds (last 7 days; e.g., bupropion, NRT, varenicline). Episodic use of NRT in the last 7 days may be considered if the participant agrees to only use study medication once randomized
  • Certain medications may be exclusionary and others are precautionary, to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by study physician (See Exclusionary/Precautionary Medication List, Appendix 5)
  • Daily use of opioids for 30 days or more on phone screen or at screening is exclusionary, however as needed (PRN) use is allowed (i.e., 3 out of 7 days per week or less or if more frequent use in less than a month's duration)
  • History of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to varenicline, NRT, or any component of these formulations as determined by the medical team
  • Self-report of a history or current diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder unless cleared by study physician
  • Current substance use disorder (Drug Abuse Screening Test \[DAST\] score > 3 or use >0 in the past year and refuses to refrain from use for the duration of the study; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test \[USAUDIT\] score > 24)
  • Individuals who report depressive symptoms in the moderately severe or severe range on the Patient Health Questionnaire - Mood Module (PHQ-9) (scores of 15 or above); or who report current suicidal ideation on the PHQ-9
  • Individuals who report anxiety symptoms in the severe range on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) (scores of 15 or above); or meet criteria for panic syndrome on the PHQ Panic module
  • Psychiatric hospitalization within 1 year of screening date
  • Any otherwise not specified medical or psychiatric condition, illness, disorder, or concomitant medication that could compromise participant safety or treatment, as determined by the principal investigator and/or study physician
  • Participant considered by the investigator as unsuitable candidate for full participation in both the treatment and follow-up phases of the study

Study Design

Enrollment

2010 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Prevention

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Group I (varenicline, counseling)

Participants receive varenicline PO daily or BID for 6 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Participants who quit smoking continue treatment for 6 additional weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Participants also receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

experimental: Group II (NRT, counseling)

Participants receive NRT consisting of a patch, lozenges, or gum daily for 6 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Participants who quit smoking continue treatment for 6 additional weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Participants also receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

experimental: Group III (varenicline or NRT, counseling)

Participants continue to receive varenicline as in Group I or NRT as in Group II for 6 additional weeks depending on which group they were assigned to. Participants also receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

experimental: Group IV (varenicline or NRT, counseling)

Participants switch to a different therapy and receive varenicline as in Group I or NRT as in Group II for 6 weeks depending on which group they were assigned to. Participants also receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

experimental: Group V (higher dose varenicline or NRT, counseling)

Participants receive a higher dose and continue to receive varenicline as in Group I or NRT as in Group II for 6 weeks depending on which group they were assigned to. Participants also receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

experimental: Group VI (varenicline or NRT, bupropion, counseling)

Participants continue to receive varenicline as in Group I or NRT as in Group II for 6 weeks depending on which group they were assigned to. Participants also receive bupropion PO daily for 6 weeks and behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

experimental: Group VII (varenicline and NRT, counseling)

Participants receive varenicline as in Group I and NRT as in Group II for 6 weeks. Participants also receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

Interventions

Bupropion Hydrochloride Controlled-release

Given PO

Nicotine Replacement

Given via nicotine patch, lozenges, or gum

Questionnaire Administration

Ancillary studies

Tobacco Cessation Counseling

Receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling

Varenicline

Given PO

Primary outcome measure

  • End of treatment seven-day point prevalence [ Time Frame: Up to 6 months ]
  • Expired carbon monoxide value [ Time Frame: Up to 6 months ]
  • Abstinence [ Time Frame: At 12 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Jason Robinson, PHD

713-745-3822nicotinestudy@mdanderson.org

Locations

M D Anderson Cancer Center

Recruiting

Houston, Texas, United States, 77030

Contacts

Jason Robinson

713-745-3822nicotinestudy@mdanderson.org

Principal Investigator:

Jason Robinson

More Information

Sponsor

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Last update posted

May 4, 2026

Last verified

Apr, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on 2026-05-04.