Broccoli Sprout/Broccoli Seed Extract Supplement in Decreasing Toxicity in Heavy Smokers

This randomized early phase I trial studies how well broccoli sprout/broccoli seed extract supplement works in decreasing toxicity in heavy smokers. Broccoli sprout/broccoli seed extract supplement is a dietary supplement made from broccoli sprout and seed extract powder, and may break down some of the cancer causing substances in tobacco smoke and produce substances that may protect cells from tobacco smoke-induced damage in current smokers.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine whether broccoli sprout/broccoli seed extract supplement (Avmacol) increases the urinary excretion of the mercapturic acid of the tobacco carcinogen, benzene, in healthy volunteers who are current heavy smokers.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine whether Avmacol increases the urinary excretion of the mercapturic acids of other tobacco carcinogens, including acrolein and crotonaldehyde.

II. To determine whether Avmacol increases the urinary excretion of the mercapturic acids of tobacco carcinogens, normalized by bio-measurement of tobacco exposure.

III. To determine whether Avmacol upregulates the NRF2 target gene transcripts in the buccal cells of current smokers.

IV. To evaluate for a dose-response relationship between Avmacol and the detoxification of tobacco carcinogens and the expression of NRF2 target gene transcripts.

V. To determine the relationship between systemic study agent exposure and biomarker modulation.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine whether the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes are important genetic modulators of detoxification of tobacco carcinogens with Avmacol treatment.

II. To bank specimens for future research including evaluation of tobacco gene signatures in buccal and nasal epithelium and buccal cell nuclear morphometry.

OUTLINE: Participants are randomized into 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Participants receive lower dose broccoli sprout/broccoli seed extract supplement orally (PO) daily for 10-14 days. After 10-14 days, participants receive higher dose broccoli sprout/broccoli seed extract supplement PO daily for 10-14 days.

ARM II: Participants receive higher dose broccoli sprout/broccoli seed extract supplement PO daily for 10-14 days. After 10-14 days, participants receive lower dose broccoli sprout/broccoli seed extract supplement PO daily for 10-14 days.

After completion of study, participants are followed up at 10-14 days.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Current tobacco smokers with \>= 20 pack years of self-reported smoking exposure and a current average use of \>= 10 cigarettes/day
* Karnofsky performance scale \>= 70%
* Leukocytes \>= 3,000/microliter
* Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,500/microliter
* Platelets \>= 100,000/microliter
* Total bilirubin =\< 2 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) =\< 1.5 x ULN
* Creatinine =\< ULN
* Fertile subjects must use adequate contraception (abstinence, barrier methods, or birth control pills) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation; women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use adequate contraception (hormonal or barrier method of birth control; abstinence) prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation; should a woman become pregnant or suspect she is pregnant while participating in this study, she should inform her study physician immediately
* Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of invasive cancer within the past 2 years, with the exception of excised and cured non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
* Chronic, current or recent (within the past 2 weeks) use of systemic steroid doses equivalent to prednisone \> 5 mg daily for continued use \> 14 days; use of inhaled steroids, nasal sprays, and topical creams for small body areas is allowed
* Participants may not be receiving any other investigational agents
* History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to Avmacol
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements
* Pregnant or lactating women