Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Counseling, Varenicline, and Bupropion for Smoking Cessation, the PISCES I Trial

PISCES I: Precision Implemented Smoking Cessation Evaluation Study

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Cigarette Smoking-Related Carcinoma
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire Administration; Drug: Varenicline; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; Drug: Nicotine Replacement; Drug: Bupropion Hydrochloride Controlled-release

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Production of precise, unbiased estimates of treatment effects for the constituent therapies and rescue treatment pathways.

II. Development of the predictive algorithm, using the same machine learning techniques described in the preliminary data, to estimate the probabilities that an individual with a given pattern of baseline covariates will successfully quit smoking at the six and twelve week time points.

OUTLINE:

STAGE I: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 groups.

GROUP I: Participants receive varenicline orally (PO) daily or twice daily (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.

GROUP II: Participants receive nicotine replacement therapy (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.

STAGE II: After 6 weeks, participants from Stage I who do not quit smoking are randomized to 1 of 5 groups.

GROUP III: 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 behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

GROUP IV: 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.

GROUP V: 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.

GROUP VI: 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 hydrochloride (bupropion) PO daily for 6 weeks and behavioral smoking cessation counseling.

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

After starting study treatment, patients are followed up at 3 and 6 months.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 2010
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Jason Robinson, PHD; Phone Number: 713-745-3822; Email: nicotinestudy@mdanderson.org

Study Locations

• United States
  • Texas
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
      • Recruiting
      • M D Anderson Cancer Center
      • Principal Investigator: Jason Robinson
      • Contact: Jason Robinson; Phone Number: 713-745-3822; Email: nicotinestudy@mdanderson.org

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

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 Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

7

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
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.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Drug: Varenicline; Given PO; Other Names: Champix; Chantix; CP-526555; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; 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.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; Receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling; Drug: Nicotine Replacement; Given via nicotine patch, lozenges, or gum; Other Names: Nicotine Replacement Therapy; NRT
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.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Drug: Varenicline; Given PO; Other Names: Champix; Chantix; CP-526555; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; Receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling; Drug: Nicotine Replacement; Given via nicotine patch, lozenges, or gum; Other Names: Nicotine Replacement Therapy; NRT
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.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Drug: Varenicline; Given PO; Other Names: Champix; Chantix; CP-526555; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; Receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling; Drug: Nicotine Replacement; Given via nicotine patch, lozenges, or gum; Other Names: Nicotine Replacement Therapy; NRT
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.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Drug: Varenicline; Given PO; Other Names: Champix; Chantix; CP-526555; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; Receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling; Drug: Nicotine Replacement; Given via nicotine patch, lozenges, or gum; Other Names: Nicotine Replacement Therapy; NRT
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.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Drug: Varenicline; Given PO; Other Names: Champix; Chantix; CP-526555; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; Receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling; Drug: Nicotine Replacement; Given via nicotine patch, lozenges, or gum; Other Names: Nicotine Replacement Therapy; NRT; Drug: Bupropion Hydrochloride Controlled-release; Given PO; Other Names: Zyban; Wellbutrin XL; Forfivo XL; Bupropion HCl Controlled-release; Bupropion HCl Extended Release; Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release; Wellbutrin SR
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.	Other: Questionnaire Administration; Ancillary studies; Drug: Varenicline; Given PO; Other Names: Champix; Chantix; CP-526555; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; Receive behavioral smoking cessation counseling; Drug: Nicotine Replacement; Given via nicotine patch, lozenges, or gum; Other Names: Nicotine Replacement Therapy; NRT

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
End of treatment seven-day point prevalence	Will use Bayesian statistical methods to estimate these effects and their accompanying posterior probabilities.	Up to 6 months
Expired carbon monoxide value	Will use Bayesian statistical methods to estimate these effects and their accompanying posterior probabilities.	Up to 6 months
Abstinence	Will evaluate utilizing a logistic regression model.	At 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Days to relapse	Will analyze using Cox proportional hazards regression.	Up to 6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• Collaborators: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jason Robinson, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• MD Anderson Cancer Center Website

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 4, 2020
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 21, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 21, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): October 27, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Organic Chemicals; Heterocyclic Compounds; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring; Therapeutics; Drug Therapy; Benzazepines; Ketones; Quinoxalines; Propiophenones; Varenicline; Bupropion; Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2019-0953 (Other Identifier: M D Anderson Cancer Center); NCI-2020-05745 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program))

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No