Nicotine Uptake, Measures of Abuse Liability, and Puffing Topography With Use of RELX ENDS Products by Smokers

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Use
• Interventions: Other: RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor; Other: RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor; Other: Usual Brand Cigarette; Other: Nicorette White Ice Mint nicotine polacrilex gum

• Registration Number: NCT04640285
• Lead Sponsor: Cheerain HK Limited

Brief Summary

This study is being conducted to evaluate nicotine uptake and exposure, the abuse liability, and puffing topography associated with the use of an electronic nicotine delivery system ENDS with tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-liquids in current smokers.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2020-11-03
• Study First Submitted: 2020-11-17
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-11-20
• Study First Posted: 2020-11-23
• Status Verified: 2021-03
• Primary Completion: 2021-03-12
• Study Completion: 2021-03-19
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-03-23
• Last Update Posted: 2021-03-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 41

Inclusion Criteria

1. Provides voluntary consent to participate in the study as documented on the signed informed consent form (ICF).

2. Is 22 to 59 years of age, inclusive, at the time of consent.

3. Has been a smoker for at least 12 months prior to Screening and through check-in. Brief periods of non-smoking (e.g., up to ~7 consecutive days due to illness, trying to quit, participation in a study where smoking was prohibited) ≥ 30 days prior to Screening will be permitted at the discretion of the Investigator.

4. Reports typically smoking 10 combustible cigarettes (king size or 100s) per day at Screening.

5. Has a urine cotinine concentration ≥ 200 ng/mL at Screening and Check-in.

6. Has an exhaled carbon monoxide (ECO) concentration > 10 ppm at Screening and Check-in.

7. If female, must meet one of the following criteria:

   If of childbearing potential - agrees to use one of the accepted contraceptive regimens from at least 30 days prior to the first product use, during the study, and for at least 30 days after the last product use. An acceptable method of contraception includes one of the following:

   • Abstinence from heterosexual intercourse
   • Hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, injectable/implant/insertable hormonal birth control products, transdermal patch)
   • Intrauterine device (with or without hormones) OR agrees to use a double barrier method (e.g. condom and spermicide) during the study and for at least 30 days after the last product use.

8. If a female of non-childbearing potential - should be surgically sterile (i.e. has undergone complete hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or tubal ligation/occlusion) or in a menopausal state (at least 1 year without menses), as confirmed by FSH levels (≥ 40 mIU/mL).

9. Is willing to comply with the requirements of the study.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Has a history or presence of clinically significant uncontrolled gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, endocrine, oncologic, urologic, pulmonary, immunologic, psychiatric, or cardiovascular disease, or any other condition that would jeopardize the safety of the subject or impact the validity of the study results.
2. Has a clinically significant abnormal finding on the physical examination, medical history, vital signs, ECG, or clinical laboratory results.
3. Has a positive test for HIV-1/HIV-2 Antibodies, Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) or Hepatitis C Antibody (HCVAb).
4. Has had an acute illness (e.g., upper respiratory infection, viral infection) within 14 days prior to Check-in.
5. Has a fever (> 100.5°F) at Screening or Check-in.
6. Has a positive COVID-19 test during the screening period, prior to Check-in.
7. Has a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40.0 kg/m2 or less than 18.0 kg/m2 at Screening.
8. Has a history of drug or alcohol abuse within 12 months of Screening.
9. Has a systolic BP < 90 mmHg or > 150 mmHg, diastolic BP < 40 mmHg or > 95 mmHg, or HR < 40 bpm or > 99 bpm at Screening.
10. Is allergic to or intolerant of components of the product e-liquid, including but not limited to, menthol, propylene glycol or glycerin.
11. Is unable to use the CReSS topography device with the vaping device during the training session on Day -1.
12. Has an estimated creatinine clearance < 70 mL/minute (using the Cockcroft Gault equation) at Screening.
13. Has a positive urine drug or alcohol test at Screening or Check-in. A positive test result for cannabinoids may be permitted if the result to the cannabis intoxication evaluation is negative at Check-in.
14. If female, has a positive pregnancy test, is breastfeeding or lactating, or intends to become pregnant from Screening through Day 5.
15. Has been treated for depression, diabetes, asthma, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within 12 months of Check-in.
16. Has previously been diagnosed with any form of cancer, except for basal cell or squamous epithelial carcinomas of the skin that have been resected.
17. Has used medications known to interact with cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 (including, but not limited to, amiodarone, desipramine, isoniazid, ketoconazole, miconazole, phenobarbital, rifampin, tranylcypromine, methoxsalen) within 6 weeks prior to Check-in.
18. Has used a product containing pseudoephedrine within 48 hours prior to Check-in.
19. Has used an ENDS product on more than 5 days within 3 months prior to Screening and through Check-in.
20. Reports use of a very-low nicotine content cigarette (e.g., Moonlight, Spectrum, VLN) as usual brand.
21. Has used any tobacco- or nicotine-containing products other than manufactured cigarettes (e.g., ENDS, roll-your-own cigarettes, bidis, snuff, pouches, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, nicotine inhalers, nicotine patches, nicotine sprays, nicotine lozenges, or nicotine gum) within 7 days of Check-in.
22. Has used any products for the purpose of smoking cessation, including, but not limited to, nicotine replacement therapies, varenicline (Chantix), or buproprion (Zyban) from 30 days prior to Screening through Check-in.
23. Is a self-reported puffer (i.e., draws smoke from the cigarette into the mouth and throat but does not inhale).
24. Is postponing a planned smoking quit attempt in order to participate in the study.
25. Has donated plasma within 7 days prior to Check-in.
26. Has provided a whole blood donation, had significant blood loss, or received whole blood or a blood product transfusion within 56 days prior to Check-in.
27. Has participated in a previous clinical study for a tobacco product or an investigational drug, device, or biologic, within 30 days or 5 times the half-life of the drug (whichever is longer) prior to Check-in.
28. Is or has a first-degree relative (e.g., spouse, parent, sibling, child) who is a current or former employee of a tobacco or ENDS manufacturer or is a named party or class representative in litigation with the tobacco or ENDS industry.
29. Is or has a first-degree relative (e.g., spouse, parent, sibling, child) who is a current employee of the clinic site.
30. Is or has a first-degree relative (e.g., spouse, parent, sibling, child) who is a current employee of the Sponsor.
31. Has previously been withdrawn from or has completed this study.
32. In the opinion of the Investigator, the subject should not participate in this study.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Product Use Sequence 4	RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor	Period 1 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 2 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 3 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 4 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor
Product Use Sequence 4	RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor	Period 1 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 2 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 3 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 4 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor
Product Use Sequence 1	Nicorette White Ice Mint nicotine polacrilex gum	Period 1 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 2 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 3 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 4 - Usual Brand Cigarette
Product Use Sequence 2	Usual Brand Cigarette	Period 1 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 2 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 3 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 4 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum
Product Use Sequence 1	RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor	Period 1 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 2 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 3 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 4 - Usual Brand Cigarette
Product Use Sequence 2	Nicorette White Ice Mint nicotine polacrilex gum	Period 1 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 2 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 3 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 4 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum
Product Use Sequence 3	RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor	Period 1 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 2 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 3 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 4 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor
Product Use Sequence 3	Usual Brand Cigarette	Period 1 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 2 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 3 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 4 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor
Product Use Sequence 2	RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor	Period 1 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 2 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 3 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 4 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum
Product Use Sequence 1	RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor	Period 1 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 2 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 3 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 4 - Usual Brand Cigarette
Product Use Sequence 1	Usual Brand Cigarette	Period 1 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 2 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 3 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 4 - Usual Brand Cigarette
Product Use Sequence 2	RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor	Period 1 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 2 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 3 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 4 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum
Product Use Sequence 3	RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor	Period 1 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 2 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 3 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 4 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor
Product Use Sequence 3	Nicorette White Ice Mint nicotine polacrilex gum	Period 1 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 2 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 3 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor Period 4 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor
Product Use Sequence 4	Usual Brand Cigarette	Period 1 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 2 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 3 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 4 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor
Product Use Sequence 4	Nicorette White Ice Mint nicotine polacrilex gum	Period 1 - Nicorette White Ice Mint Nicotine Polacrilex Gum Period 2 - RELX ENDS Tobacco Flavor Period 3 - Usual Brand Cigarette Period 4 - RELX ENDS Menthol Flavor

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Nicotine Uptake	120 minutes	PK Session baseline-adjusted area under the nicotine concentration-time curve \[AUC(0-120)\]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Nicotine Uptake - PK Session	120 minutes	PK Session time of the maximum post-baseline nicotine concentration \[Tmax\]
Nicotine Uptake - Ad Libitum Session	480 minutes	Ad Libitum Session baseline-adjusted area under the nicotine concentration-time curve \[AUC(0-480)\]
Subjective Effects as measured by the Modified Product Evaluation Scale	480 minutes	Subjective product assessments during the Ad Libitum Session as measured by responses to the Modified Product Evaluation Scale (scale range of 1 \[not at all\] to 7 \[extremely\]
Subjective Effects as measured by the Urge to Smoke questionnaire	120 minutes	Subjective product assessments during the PK Session as measured by responses to the Urge to Smoke questionnaire (visual analog scale range of "Not at All" to "Extreme")
Subjective Effects as measured by the Product Liking questionnaire	120 minutes	Subjective product assessments during the PK Session as measured by responses to the Product Liking questionnaire (visual analog scale range of "Not at All" to "Extremely")
Physiologic effects as measured by heart rate	120 minutes	Heart rate measurements during the PK Session
Physiologic effects as measured by blood pressure	120 minutes	Blood pressure measurements during the PK Session
Carbon Monoxide Exposure	25 minutes (50 minutes for the nicotine gum period)	Change in exhaled carbon monoxide during the PK Session
Study Product Use	5 minutes	Number of puffs from the RELX ENDS and cigarettes during the PK Session
Incidence of product-use emergent adverse events [Safety and Tolerability]	24 hours	Incidence of product-use emergent adverse events
Subjective effects as measured by the Future Intent to Use questionnaire	480 minutes	Subjective product assessments during the Ad Libitum Session as measured by responses to the Future Intent to Use questionnaire (visual annalog scale range of "Definitely Would Not" to " Definitely Would")
Incidence of product malfunction or misuse of the RELX ENDS [Safety and Tolerability]	24 hours	Incidence of product malfunction or misuse of the RELX ENDS

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Altasciences Clinical Kansas, Inc; 🇺🇸 Overland Park, Kansas, United States