Varenicline to help adults quit daily e-cigarettes and reduce DNA-damage markers
Investigating Efficacious E-Cigarette Interventions and Cessation Effects on Cancer-Related Biomarkers: A Randomized Trial of Varenicline in Adults
['FUNDING_R01'] · YALE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11262310
This project will see whether the stop-smoking medicine varenicline helps adults who vape every day quit e-cigarettes and lowers markers of DNA damage linked to cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | YALE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11262310 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, you would be one of about 326 adults (age 18+) who use e-cigarettes daily and want help quitting. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive varenicline or a placebo and will attend clinic visits and follow-up over the study period. The team will track whether people stop using e-cigarettes and will measure biological markers in blood and urine that show DNA damage and repair (for example, 8-oxoG). The study aims to see if quitting with varenicline also reduces these cancer-related biomarkers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 18 and older who use e-cigarettes every day, want to quit, and can attend study visits are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 18, those who do not use e-cigarettes daily, or those not interested in quitting are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a proven medication option to help people who vape quit and may show reduced biological signs of DNA damage.
How similar studies have performed: A small 8-week pilot (N=40) by the same team showed promising signals that varenicline increased e-cigarette cessation, but larger randomized trials are needed to confirm the effect.
Where this research is happening
NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES
- YALE UNIVERSITY — NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FUCITO, LISA M — YALE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: FUCITO, LISA M
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 below.