ArticlePsycho-oncology2017
The use of varenicline to treat nicotine dependence among patients with cancer.
Article in Psycho-oncology, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 27 citations in OpenAlex.
- Systematic Review of Smoking Cessation Interventions for Smokers Diagnosed with Cancer.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Pooled it
- Smoking cessation for improving mental health.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2021Pooled it
- Interventions for smoking cessation in people diagnosed with lung cancer.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2019Pooled it
- The effect of varenicline on mood and cognition in smokers with HIV.Psychopharmacology · 2020Trial
- Predictors of Varenicline Adherence Among Cancer Patients Treated for Tobacco Dependence and its Association With Smoking Cessation.Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco · 2019Trial
- Placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy and safety of varenicline for smokers with HIV.Drug and alcohol dependence · 2019Trial
- A randomized controlled trial of 24 weeks of varenicline for tobacco use among cancer patients: Efficacy, safety, and adherence.Psycho-oncology · 2019Trial
- Cancer-related disease factors and smoking cessation treatment: Analysis of an ongoing clinical trial.Psycho-oncology · 2018Trial
- Pilot Study of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Protocol via Videoconference for the Management of Pain, Emotional Distress, and Quality of Life in Mexican Patients with Cancer and Chronic Pain.Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings · 2026Article
- Cigarette Smoking and Symptom Burden: Baseline Results From Nine ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Clinical Trials.Journal of pain and symptom management · 2025Article
- Correlates of varenicline adherence among smokers with HIV and its association with smoking cessation.Addictive behaviors · 2020Article
- The association between self-reported varenicline adherence and varenicline blood levels in a sample of cancer patients receiving treatment for tobacco dependence.Addictive behaviors reports · 2018Article
- Tobacco Cessation in Oncology Care.Oncology · 2018Review
- Cancer Patients Enrolled in a Smoking Cessation Clinical Trial: Characteristics and Correlates of Smoking Rate and Nicotine Dependence.Journal of addiction · 2018Article
- Treating Nicotine Dependence and Preventing Smoking Relapse in Cancer Patients.Expert review of quality of life in cancer care · 2017Article
- Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
12 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundContinuing to smoke after a cancer diagnosis can adversely influence the prognosis for patients with cancer. However, remarkably few studies have carefully examined the use of first-line FDA-approved medications for nicotine dependence in patients with cancer. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and effect on cessation of varenicline for smoking cessation in patients with cancer.
methodsData from 132 treatment-seeking smokers who received 12 weeks of open-label varenicline and five brief behavioral counseling sessions were used to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and impact on cessation of varenicline. The effects of abstinence on cognitive function and affect were also explored.
resultsOf 459 patients screened, 306 were eligible for the study (66.7%) and 132 entered treatment (43.1%). Retention was 84.1% over 12 weeks. The rate of biochemically verified abstinence at week 12 was 40.2%. Expected side effects were reported (e.g. sleep problems, nausea), but there were no reports of elevated depressed mood, suicidal thoughts, or cardiovascular events. Abstinence was associated with improved cognitive function and reduced negative affect over time (p < 0.05).
conclusionsAlthough many patients with cancer who smoke did not enroll in treatment, the side effect profile of varenicline and its effect on short-term cessation converge with what is seen in the general population. Further, as with the general population, abstinence while taking varenicline may lead to improved cognitive function and reduced negative affect. The present data support the use of varenicline to help patients with cancer to quit smoking.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.