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Adaptive Pharmacotherapy for Smoking Cessation

Randomized Controlled Smoking Cessation Trial on Adaptive Pharmacotherapy

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02501265
Enrollment
188
Registered
2015-07-17
Start date
2017-06-06
Completion date
2021-05-12
Last updated
2021-08-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Nicotine Dependence

Keywords

Nicotine addiction, Cigarette smoking, Bupropion, Varenicline, Adaptive Approach, Nicotine Patch, Chantix

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to assess an adaptive approach to smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. The protocol is designed to compare adaptive vs. standard approaches to two common smoking cessation pharmacotherapies - Varenicline (commonly known as Chantix) and the Nicotine Patch. The investigators hypothesize that participants allocated to adaptive therapy will show significantly higher biochemically confirmed 30-day continuous abstinence at 12 weeks post-Target Quit Day (TQD).

Detailed description

The purpose of this study is to assess an adaptive approach to smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. The protocol is designed to compare adaptive vs. standard approaches to two common smoking cessation pharmacotherapies (Varenicline and Nicotine Patch). The adaptive treatment approach provides the addition of Bupropion in the pre-quit period for participants who are not responding to initial treatment. Little is known about the adaptive use of Varenicline or Nicotine Patch, in which Bupropion is added to Varenicline or Patch for those who do not respond to one of these medications in a pre-quit treatment period. This study attempts to address these knowledge deficits. The study (N=300) is a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial designed to compare biochemically-confirmed abstinence rates in smokers randomized to Varenicline Adaptive Protocol vs. Varenicline (N=150) and for comparison, Nicotine Patch Adaptive Protocol vs. Nicotine Patch (N=150). The Varenicline Adaptive Protocol is conducted by starting treatment with Varenicline 4 weeks prior to the quit day and following each participant's response to this pre-treatment medication. After 2 weeks, if the patient shows a reduction greater than 50% in cigarettes smoked per day, then the patient is considered to be a Varenicline responder and is continued on Varenicline alone out to 12-weeks post quit day. If the patient does not spontaneously decrease smoking in the pre-quit period by more than 50% cigarettes per day, the patient is considered to be a Varenicline non-responder and Bupropion is added to the Varenicline. For comparison, an identical protocol is used with nicotine patch vs. nicotine patch adaptive treatment. The study uses only FDA-approved medications: Varenicline, Nicotine Patch, Bupropion, and placebo controls. To pattern clinical practice, participants will be able to choose whether they would like to use a patch or Varenicline-based treatment. After choosing, however, they will be randomized to adaptive vs. non-adaptive version of that treatment. Placebo medications are matched throughout the study. Participants will be blinded to all medications. All participants will receive behavioral treatment including a single 40-minute visit with a medical provider. The study is designed to provide researchers and clinicians with a better understanding of how to use adaptive pharmacotherapy protocols to improve smoking cessation rates.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALVarenicline Standard Protocol

4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Placebo Varenicline 1 week prior to TQD: Switch to Active Varenicline 1 week prior to TQD: Start Placebo Bupropion Varenicline + Placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD

BEHAVIORALNicotine Patch Standard Protocol

4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Placebo Nicotine Patch TQD: Start active Nicotine Patch 1 week prior to TQD: Start Placebo Bupropion Nicotine Patch + Placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD

DRUGVarenicline Adaptive Protocol

VARENICLINE RESPONDER 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Varenicline 2 weeks pre-TQD: DOES reduce cigs/day by \> 50% 1 week pre-TQD: Start Placebo Bupropion Varenicline + Placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD VARENICLINE NON-RESPONDER 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Varenicline 2 weeks pre-TQD: DOES NOT reduce cigs/day by \> 50% 1 week pre-TQD: Start active Bupropion Varenicline + Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD

DRUGNicotine Adaptive Protocol

NICOTINE PATCH RESPONDER 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Patch 2 weeks pre-TQD: DOES reduce cigs/day by \> 50% 1 week pre-TQD: Start Placebo Bupropion Patch + Placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD NICOTINE PATCH NON-RESPONDER 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Patch 2 weeks pre-TQD: DOES NOT reduce cigs/day by \> 50% 1 week pre-TQD: Start Bupropion Patch + Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD

Sponsors

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH
Pfizer
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Duke University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Intervention model description

The study (N=300) is a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial designed to compare biochemically-confirmed abstinence rates in smokers randomized to Varenicline Adaptive Protocol vs. Varenicline (N=150) and for comparison, Nicotine Patch Adaptive Protocol vs. Nicotine Patch (N=150).

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Age 18 years or older 2. Actively smoking 5 or more cigarettes per day for at least one year 3. Fluency in spoken and written English 4. Willing to set a quit date within 6 weeks 5. Access to a telephone 6. Willingness to take Varenicline OR nicotine patch (patient choice) 7. Willingness to take Bupropion

Exclusion criteria

1. Daily use of a second form of tobacco or nicotine (e.g. e-cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff). 2. Current use of a smoking cessation medication (e.g. nicotine replacement, Varenicline, Bupropion). 3. Report of pregnancy, attempting to get pregnant, or actively breast feeding or positive urine pregnancy test (only given to females with child bearing potential). 4. Additional criteria may apply.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Biochemically-confirmed 30-day Continuous Smoking Abstinence12 weeks post-TQD (Visit 4)Number of participants who self report complete smoking abstinence over the last 30 days and are also verified to be abstinent by carbon monoxide (CO) expired breath testing with CO \< 7 parts per million.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Phone-assessed Self-reported Abstinence52 weeks post-TQDNumber of participants who self reported smoking abstinence over the last 24 hours assessed via single-item question.
7-day Point Prevalence Biochemically Confirmed Abstinence12 weeks post-TQD (Visit 4)Number of participants who self report complete smoking abstinence over the last 7 days and are also verified to be abstinent by carbon monoxide (CO) expired breath testing with CO \< 7 parts per million.
Change in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day12 weeks post-TQD (Visit 4)The percentage of participants who decreased the number of daily cigarettes smoked by 50% or more from the baseline assessment visit to 12 weeks post target quit day assessment visit collected by self-report in participants who completed the 12-week post target quit day assessment visit
Change in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day (Phone)52 weeks post-TQDThe percentage of participants who decreased the number of daily cigarettes smoked by 50% or more from the baseline assessment visit to 52 weeks post target quit day assessment visit collected by self-report in participants who completed the 52-week post target quit day phone assessment.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Varenicline Standard Protocol
Participant chooses Varenicline-based treatment and is then randomized to Standard Treatment arm (N=75). Four weeks prior to target quit date (TQD), participant starts placebo Varenicline. Consistent with Varenicline Standard Treatment, 1 week prior to the TQD the participant will switch to active Varenicline and placebo Bupropion. Participant will continue active Varenicline and placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post-TQD. Varenicline Standard Protocol: 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Placebo Varenicline 1 week prior to TQD: Switch to Active Varenicline 1 week prior to TQD: Start Placebo Bupropion Varenicline + Placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD
63
Nicotine Patch Standard Protocol
Participant chooses Nicotine patch-based treatment and is then randomized to Standard Treatment arm (N=75). Four weeks prior to target quit date (TQD), participant starts placebo Nicotine Patch. One week prior to TQD, participant will start placebo Bupropion. Consistent with Nicotine Patch Standard Treatment, participant will start active Nicotine Patch on TQD. Participant will continue active Nicotine Patch and placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post-TQD. Nicotine Patch Standard Protocol: 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Placebo Nicotine Patch TQD: Start active Nicotine Patch 1 week prior to TQD: Start Placebo Bupropion Nicotine Patch + Placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD
30
Varenicline Adaptive Protocol
Participant chooses Varenicline treatment and is randomized to Adaptive Treatment arm (N=75). Four weeks prior to target quit date (TQD), participant starts active Varenicline. Two weeks prior to TQD, cigarettes smoked per day is assessed. If the number of cigarettes smoked per day is reduced by \>50%, the participant is considered a Varenicline responder, and starts placebo Bupropion 1 week prior to the TQD. If the participant DOES NOT reduce cigarettes smoked per day by \>50%, the participant is considered a Varenicline non-responder and starts active Bupropion 1 week prior to TQD. Varenicline responders will continue active Varenicline and placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD. Varenicline non-responders will continue active Varenicline and active Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD. Varenicline Adaptive Protocol: VARENICLINE RESPONDER 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Varenicline 2 weeks pre-TQD: DOES reduce cigs/day by \> 50% 1 week pre-TQD: Start Placebo Bupropion Varenicline + Placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD VARENICLINE NON-RESPONDER 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Varenicline 2 weeks pre-TQD: DOES NOT reduce cigs/day by \> 50% 1 week pre-TQD: Start active Bupropion Varenicline + Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD
64
Nicotine Patch Adaptive Protocol
Participant chooses Nicotine treatment and is randomized to Adaptive Treatment arm (N=75). Four weeks prior to target quit date (TQD), participant starts active Nicotine Patches. Two weeks prior to TQD, cigarettes smoked per day is assessed. If cigarettes smoked per day is reduced by \>50%, the participant is considered a Nicotine Patch responder and starts placebo Bupropion 1 week prior to the TQD. If the participant DOES NOT reduce cigarettes smoked per day by \>50%, the participant is considered a Nicotine Patch non-responder and starts active Bupropion 1 week prior to the TQD. Nicotine Patch responders will continue active Nicotine Patches and placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD. Nicotine Patch non-responders will continue active Nicotine Patches and Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD. Nicotine Adaptive Protocol: NICOTINE PATCH RESPONDER 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Patch 2 weeks pre-TQD: DOES reduce cigs/day by \> 50% 1 week pre-TQD: Start Placebo Bupropion Patch + Placebo Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD NICOTINE PATCH NON-RESPONDER 4 weeks pre-TQD: Start Patch 2 weeks pre-TQD: DOES NOT reduce cigs/day by \> 50% 1 week pre-TQD: Start Bupropion Patch + Bupropion to 12 weeks post TQD
31
Total188

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicVarenicline Standard ProtocolNicotine Patch Standard ProtocolVarenicline Adaptive ProtocolNicotine Patch Adaptive ProtocolTotal
Age, Continuous50.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.5
45.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.3
49.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.6
50.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.6
49.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.5
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants2 Participants4 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
62 Participants30 Participants63 Participants29 Participants184 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
23 Participants21 Participants19 Participants17 Participants80 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants2 Participants2 Participants1 Participants6 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
38 Participants6 Participants41 Participants13 Participants98 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
30 Participants17 Participants35 Participants19 Participants101 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
33 Participants13 Participants29 Participants12 Participants87 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
EG003
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
1 / 630 / 300 / 640 / 31
other
Total, other adverse events
48 / 6325 / 3058 / 6425 / 31
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 630 / 301 / 640 / 31

Outcome results

Primary

Biochemically-confirmed 30-day Continuous Smoking Abstinence

Number of participants who self report complete smoking abstinence over the last 30 days and are also verified to be abstinent by carbon monoxide (CO) expired breath testing with CO \< 7 parts per million.

Time frame: 12 weeks post-TQD (Visit 4)

Population: Intent-to-treat analysis of a clinical population with significant comorbidity and minimal exclusion criteria.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Varenicline Standard ProtocolBiochemically-confirmed 30-day Continuous Smoking Abstinence5 Participants
Nicotine Patch Standard ProtocolBiochemically-confirmed 30-day Continuous Smoking Abstinence3 Participants
Varenicline Adaptive ProtocolBiochemically-confirmed 30-day Continuous Smoking Abstinence18 Participants
Nicotine Patch Adaptive ProtocolBiochemically-confirmed 30-day Continuous Smoking Abstinence5 Participants
Secondary

7-day Point Prevalence Biochemically Confirmed Abstinence

Number of participants who self report complete smoking abstinence over the last 7 days and are also verified to be abstinent by carbon monoxide (CO) expired breath testing with CO \< 7 parts per million.

Time frame: 12 weeks post-TQD (Visit 4)

Population: Intent-to-treat analysis of a clinical population with significant comorbidity and minimal exclusion criteria.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Varenicline Standard Protocol7-day Point Prevalence Biochemically Confirmed Abstinence6 Participants
Nicotine Patch Standard Protocol7-day Point Prevalence Biochemically Confirmed Abstinence3 Participants
Varenicline Adaptive Protocol7-day Point Prevalence Biochemically Confirmed Abstinence23 Participants
Nicotine Patch Adaptive Protocol7-day Point Prevalence Biochemically Confirmed Abstinence6 Participants
Secondary

Change in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day

The percentage of participants who decreased the number of daily cigarettes smoked by 50% or more from the baseline assessment visit to 12 weeks post target quit day assessment visit collected by self-report in participants who completed the 12-week post target quit day assessment visit

Time frame: 12 weeks post-TQD (Visit 4)

Population: Analysis of a clinical population with significant comorbidity and minimal exclusion criteria.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Varenicline Standard ProtocolChange in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day80.4 percentage of participants
Nicotine Patch Standard ProtocolChange in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day71.4 percentage of participants
Varenicline Adaptive ProtocolChange in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day89.4 percentage of participants
Nicotine Patch Adaptive ProtocolChange in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day82.6 percentage of participants
Secondary

Change in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day (Phone)

The percentage of participants who decreased the number of daily cigarettes smoked by 50% or more from the baseline assessment visit to 52 weeks post target quit day assessment visit collected by self-report in participants who completed the 52-week post target quit day phone assessment.

Time frame: 52 weeks post-TQD

Population: Analysis of a clinical population with significant comorbidity and minimal exclusion criteria.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Varenicline Standard ProtocolChange in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day (Phone)67.6 percentage of participants
Nicotine Patch Standard ProtocolChange in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day (Phone)57.1 percentage of participants
Varenicline Adaptive ProtocolChange in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day (Phone)84.8 percentage of participants
Nicotine Patch Adaptive ProtocolChange in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day (Phone)62.5 percentage of participants
Secondary

Phone-assessed Self-reported Abstinence

Number of participants who self reported smoking abstinence over the last 24 hours assessed via single-item question.

Time frame: 52 weeks post-TQD

Population: Intent-to-treat analysis of a clinical population with significant comorbidity and minimal exclusion criteria.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Varenicline Standard ProtocolPhone-assessed Self-reported Abstinence16 Participants
Nicotine Patch Standard ProtocolPhone-assessed Self-reported Abstinence5 Participants
Varenicline Adaptive ProtocolPhone-assessed Self-reported Abstinence21 Participants
Nicotine Patch Adaptive ProtocolPhone-assessed Self-reported Abstinence6 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 8, 2026