Finding the best ways to help people quit smoking using medications and virtual support.
Official title: Comparative Effectiveness of Sequential Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies and Virtually Delivered Treatment to Optimize Smoking Cessation
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11002710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for ways to help adults quit smoking by testing different medications and virtual counseling options, so if you're trying to quit, you might get personalized support to find what works best for you!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $911,101 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA278938-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are motivated to quit smoking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking to quit smoking or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve smoking cessation methods by comparing different medication strategies and virtual counseling for smokers. It will involve a large group of adult participants who are trying to quit smoking, using a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) design to tailor treatments based on individual responses. Participants will receive either varenicline or nicotine replacement therapy, and those who do not succeed will have options to continue, switch, or enhance their treatment. The goal is to provide effective, accessible support for smokers through virtual delivery, making it easier for them to quit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized smoking cessation treatments that are easily accessible to patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar pharmacotherapy and counseling approaches for smoking cessation, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cinciripini, Paul Michael — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Cinciripini, Paul Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Social stress and smoking: why disadvantaged young adults struggle to quit
This grant looks at how daily social stress affects if and when disadvantaged young adults who smoke can quit and stay quit.
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I-STOP: a mobile health program to help people with HIV quit smoking
A smartphone-based program designed to help people with HIV quit smoking in a sustainable, affordable way.
-
Smoking cessation help for people with HIV in South Africa
A program is being tested to help people living with HIV in South Africa quit smoking in ways that fit low-resource clinics and show good value.
-
Mobile tools to understand how sleep affects quitting smoking
This project uses a smartphone to track sleep and smoking in lower-income adults trying to quit to find how sleep patterns relate to staying smoke-free.
-
Integrated approach to lung screening and quitting for African Americans
A multi-level program aims to boost LDCT lung cancer screening uptake and help African American smokers quit, with support from a comprehensive community-focused plan.
-
Peer-led smoking-cessation program for public housing residents
A peer-led program with eight group sessions plus nicotine replacement therapy is tested on adults living in public housing to help them quit smoking.
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.