A new way to help cancer patients who smoke quit using e-cigarettes.
Official title: A Novel Harm Reduction Approach for Oncology Outpatients who Smoke and Refuse Traditional Tobacco Treatment
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11057820 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether helping cancer patients who smoke switch to e-cigarettes is more effective than regular smoking help programs, and it’s for those who want to quit but haven’t found success with traditional methods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $619,175 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA293735-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057820 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are oncology outpatients who currently smoke and have refused traditional tobacco cessation treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not smoke or those who are already engaged in successful tobacco cessation programs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to assist oncology outpatients who smoke and refuse traditional tobacco treatments. It aims to compare the effectiveness of switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes against standard care methods. The study will involve 208 participants who will be randomly assigned to either an e-cigarette switching program or a control group receiving standard tobacco treatment resources. By understanding the barriers and facilitators to implementing this approach, the research seeks to improve smoking cessation among cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more appealing and effective method for cancer patients to quit smoking, potentially reducing their cancer risk and improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using e-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for smokers, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rojewski, Alana — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Rojewski, Alana
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.