EVarQuit: Extended Pre-quit Varenicline to Assist in Quitting Smoking

Phase 3

Completed

Conditions: Tobacco Smoking

Interventions: Drug: Varenicline
Behavioral: Brief smoking cessation counseling

Registration Number: NCT03262662

Lead Sponsor: State University of New York at Buffalo

Brief Summary: Varenicline is the most effective smoking cessation therapy available. Nevertheless, most smokers using varenicline relapse within the first few months after quitting. Varenicline is hypothesized to help smokers to quit in part by reducing the reinforcing effects of smoking during the standard 1-week pre-quitting treatment phase. Learning theory and previous human and animal research support the hypothesis that a longer period of varenicline treatment prior to the target quit date (TQD) will lead to greater reductions in smoking before quitting, and higher long-term cessation rates, compared to standard varenicline treatment. Building on promising preliminary clinical data, the study tests these hypotheses with a full-scale randomized clinical trial (RCT). 320 treatment-seeking smokers will be randomized to a standard run-in group (3 weeks of placebo, followed by the standard 1 week of pre-TQD varenicline) or an extended run-in group (4 weeks of pre-TQD varenicline). Both groups will receive brief individual cessation counseling and 11 weeks of post-TQD varenicline. The primary outcome measure will be bio-verified continuous abstinence at end-of-treatment (weeks 8-11 post-quit; cessation at 26-weeks post TQD will also be examined. Hypothesized mediating mechanisms (e.g., smoking reinforcement) will be evaluated by behavioral, physiological, and subjective measures assessed both in the lab and using real-world, real-time electronic momentary assessments (EMA). The investigators predict that long-term, bio-verified smoking cessation will be improved among the extended run-in group compared to the standard run-in group. The investigators further predict the improved clinical outcomes with extended run-in varenicline will be explained (or mediated) by greater pre-quit reductions in smoking reinforcement among the extended run-in group compared to the standard run-in group. The significance of this work is clear: The project aims to make best available treatment for smoking cessation even better, using a method that is ripe for dissemination and an approach that will elucidate critical mechanisms to target in the next generation of treatment enhancement.

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 320

Inclusion Criteria

Smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day (CPD) for the past 6 months and expired-air carbon monoxide (CO) >7 at intake. NOTE: To reduce exclusion of Black participants, the CPD criterion was reduced to 5 and the carbon monoxide criterion was eliminated in November, 2019.
At least moderately motivated to quit smoking and intention to make a quit attempt with varenicline 1 month after treatment begins.
Planning to remain in western New York (NY) during the study period
Willing to use varenicline and to refrain from other cessation treatments and tobacco products during the study period.
English speaker
To be intent-to-treat (ITT), the participant must complete Lab Visit 1 and meet minimal completion rate for real-world (EMA) assessments.

Exclusion Criteria

Use of other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, in past 7 days
Use of smoking cessation medication, including nicotine replacement therapy, in the past 14 days
Prior allergy/hypersensitivity to varenicline
Pregnant or breast-feeding
Substance use:
- Alcohol: AUDIT score > 15 at intake, suggestive of alcohol dependence and warranting treatment; for those with scores between 8 and 15, the investigators will advise reducing drinking).
- Medical treatment for substance use (SU) in past 3 months, including Suboxone (buprenorphine) and methadone (at phone screen)
- Using a combination of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) modified ASSIST (4-26 = moderate risk; 27+ = high risk) and urine toxicology screen (both at intake):
  - Cannabis: ASSIST=27+ (tox screen not used)
  - Cocaine: ASSIST=7+ OR positive tox screen
  - Methamphetamine: ASSIST=7+ OR positive tox screen
  - Inhalants, hallucinogens, sedatives, or sleeping pills: ASSIST score = 7+
  - Prescription stimulants: With prescription, ASSIST 27+; Without prescription, ASSIST 7+
  - Opioids: With prescription, ASSIST 27+ (note ineligible if prescription is for buprenorphine or methadone); Without prescription, ASSIST 7+ OR positive tox screen

(Note: ASSIST 4+ modified to 7+ in 2018 to avoid excluding people with past SU problems. clinicaltrials.gov edited 12/18/18)

Psychiatric:
- Antipsychotic medications
- Lifetime history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
- Evidence of current major depression (per Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at intake
- Past 10 years suicidal ideation (SI) / behavior. At intake, all of the following are exclusionary on the baseline Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Posner et al., 2008): SI without intent (C-SSRS #1, #2, or #3), if any intensity rating (Frequency, Duration, Controllability, Deterrents, or Reasons for Ideation) is > 2; SI with intent (C-SSRS #4, or #5), regardless of intensity ratings; Suicidal Behavior (any suicide attempt, interrupted attempt, aborted attempt, or suicide preparatory acts or behavior on the C-SSRS).
Any medical condition, illness, disorder or concomitant medication that compromises participant safety or treatment, as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician.
Inability to provide informed consent or complete any of the study tasks as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician.

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Standard Run-In	Brief smoking cessation counseling	\\ 3 weeks of placebo followed by 1 week of varenicline prior to the target quit date (TQD) \\ + 11 weeks of post-TQD varenicline Standard varenicline dosing titration in initial week of therapy (one 0.5 mg tablet orally daily x 3 days, then one 0.5 mg tablet twice daily x 4 days); then 1 mg twice daily thereafter. Brief individual counseling at clinic visits
Extended Run-In	Varenicline	\\ 4 weeks of varenicline prior to the target quit date (TQD) \\ + 11 weeks of post-TQD varenicline Standard varenicline dosing titration in initial week of therapy (one 0.5 mg tablet orally daily x 3 days, then one 0.5 mg tablet twice daily x 4 days); then 1 mg twice daily thereafter. Brief individual counseling at clinic visits
Extended Run-In	Brief smoking cessation counseling	\\ 4 weeks of varenicline prior to the target quit date (TQD) \\ + 11 weeks of post-TQD varenicline Standard varenicline dosing titration in initial week of therapy (one 0.5 mg tablet orally daily x 3 days, then one 0.5 mg tablet twice daily x 4 days); then 1 mg twice daily thereafter. Brief individual counseling at clinic visits
Standard Run-In	Varenicline	\\ 3 weeks of placebo followed by 1 week of varenicline prior to the target quit date (TQD) \\ + 11 weeks of post-TQD varenicline Standard varenicline dosing titration in initial week of therapy (one 0.5 mg tablet orally daily x 3 days, then one 0.5 mg tablet twice daily x 4 days); then 1 mg twice daily thereafter. Brief individual counseling at clinic visits

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants With Continuous Abstinence at End-of-Treatment (EOT) as Assessed by Self-Report and Bio-verification	Self-report Treatment Weeks 12-15; bio-verification ~Week 16	Number of participants with bio-verified (cotinine level of 15 ng/mL or less) self-reported continuous abstinence from smoking (not even a puff) during the final four weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pre-quit Change in Cigarettes Smoked Per Day	Treatment Week 1 vs. Treatment Week 4 (final week before TQD)	Percent change in smoking behavior (self-reported cigarettes per day; CPD) from timeline follow-back (TLFB) interviews during the pre-quit phase of the study.
Number of Participants With Continuous Abstinence at 6-Month Follow-Up as Assessed by Self-Report and Bio-verification	Self-report Treatment Weeks 12-28; bio-verification ~Week 16 and ~Week 29	Number of participants with continuous abstinence at the 6-month follow-up (no self-reported smoking during weeks 12-28 AND cotinine level 15 ng/mL or less at EOT and 6 month follow-up)