Helping cancer patients quit smoking with a new treatment approach

Contingency Management to Promote Smoking Abstinence in Cancer Patients

Not applicable Interventional Medical University of South Carolina · NCT04605458

This study tests a new way to help cancer patients quit smoking by combining a special treatment with their usual care to see if it works better than just standard methods.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment282 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMedical University of South Carolina Academic / other
Locations1 site (Charleston, South Carolina)
Trial IDNCT04605458 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assist cancer patients in quitting smoking by providing a novel smoking cessation treatment alongside standard care, which includes counseling and nicotine patches. Participants diagnosed with or suspected of having operable cancer will be enrolled, and half will receive the new treatment while the other half will receive standard therapy. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of this contingency management approach in promoting smoking abstinence among this vulnerable population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 or older who smoke combustible tobacco products and have a diagnosis or suspicion of operable cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with unstable psychiatric or medical conditions, non-English speakers, or those using alternative nicotine delivery systems may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve smoking cessation rates among cancer patients, enhancing their overall health and recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with contingency management approaches in smoking cessation, indicating potential for positive outcomes in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 or older
2. smoking 1 or more combustible tobacco products per day
3. diagnosed with or suspicion of any type of operable cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

1. unstable psychiatric/medical conditions such as suicidal ideation, acute psychosis, or dementia
2. non-English speaking
3. use of alternative nicotine delivery systems (e.g., e-cigarettes, snus, etc)
4. pregnant women

Where this trial is running

Charleston, South Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Smoking Cessation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.