Clinical trial NCT02360631
Conditions: Smoking Cessation
Keywords: smoking quit smoking smoking treatment
Sponsor: Lisa Sanderson Cox, PhD
Start date: 2015-07-29; Completion date: 2018-07-12
Enrollment: 500 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not providing Chantix (varenicline) will help African American smokers quit smoking.

Detailed description:
To have an impact on the premature mortality of African American smokers, effective treatment for smokers across the smoking continuum must be identified. Varenicline, the leading first-line medication for tobacco use treatment, triples the likelihood of long-term abstinence relative to placebo in those smoking \>10 cpd. To date, efficacy of varenicline has not been established in African American smokers or light smokers. The long-term goal of this research is to advance treatment for all African American smokers in order to reduce tobacco-related disease and death. Our primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of varenicline for tobacco use treatment among 500 African American smokers, including a full range of cpd, within a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. We will randomize participants in a 3:2 ratio to receive varenicline (1 mg bid; n=300) or placebo (n=200) for 12 weeks, along with individualized health education counseling for all participants. Our specific aims are to evaluate the efficacy of varenicline to promote abstinence in African American smokers across the continuum of smoking level, to examine efficacy in light smokers and also in moderate to heavy smokers, and to describe biopsychosocial characteristics of this group and evaluate in relation to abstinence. This innovative study will provide the first placebo-controlled evaluation of varenicline in the full spectrum of African American smokers, and the first to examine varenicline in light smokers. Findings will contribute to advancing effective treatment for African American smokers and for light smokers, and enhancing individualized treatment. Increased treatment efficacy will have major impact on reducing tobacco-related morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population.

Arms: arm 1: Participants will receive 1mg pills to take twice a day for 12 weeks. arm 2: Participants will receive a placebo pill to take twice a day for 12 weeks.
Interventions: intervention 1: Chantix intervention 2: Placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: A drug used to treat nicotine addiction.Chantix is approved by the FDA to be given to help people quit smoking. intervention 2: Health education counseling will be provided to all participants.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
Study Title: Advancing Tobacco Treatment for African American Smokers 
NCT Number: NCT02360631 
Document Date: 03/15/2017 
PI: Dr. Lisa Sanderson Cox 
 
 


Approved 3.15.2017 
 I. SIGNIFICANCE   
The 2008 Clinical Practice Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence reviewed over 8,700 
research articles, identified conclusive support for the efficacy of pharmacotherapy and counseling on 
increasing abstinence success, and identified varenicline as the leading single pharmacotherapy for smoking 
cessation.1 The Guideline identified a paucity of research related to treatment among a) racial and ethnic 
minority smokers, and b) light smokers, and called for treatment research in these groups. In response, the 
proposed study will be the first placebo-controlled trial to test the efficacy of varenicline to promote smoking 
abstinence among African American smokers, including light smokers. 
A. Advancing treatment of African American smokers is central to reducing disease burden. 
 
Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality for all racial/ethnic groups in 
the United States, responsible for more than 30% of cancer deaths.2 While having similar smoking prevalence 
to non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans experience disproportionately greater tobacco-related disease 
burden, including the highest rates of cancer incidence and mortality.2-4 For example, African American 
smokers have a 50% higher relative risk of smoking-attributable lung cancer compared to Whites.3 Health 
disparities exist despite the fact African Americans smoke fewer cigarettes per day (cpd). Indeed, over half of 
all African American smokers use 10 or fewer cigarettes per day (cpd), and are considered light smokers.5,6  
 
Additional characteristics differentiate African American and White smokers: African Americans are more 
likely to smoke high-tar and menthol cigarettes,7,8 inhale more deeply,9 have a slower rate of nicotine 
metabolism,10 show higher levels of cotinine per cigarette smoked,11-13 and are less likely to receive tobacco 
use treatment or to achieve abstinence when making a quit attempt.14,15 Multiple pharmacotherapy trials have 
identified poorer treatment outcomes in African American relative to White participants.16-18 Identification of 
effective treatment for African American smokers is a critical public health priority.1,19 
 
Attention to light smokers. We refer to “light smokers” as those who smoke <10 cpd,20-22 a common 
definition consistent with our two previous NIH-funded clinical trials of African American light smokers.23,24 Like 
heavy smokers, light smokers report nicotine dependence and experience substantial tobacco-related 
disease.25-30 Unfortunately, light smokers perceive less risk of disease.31 Light smokers also differ in variability 
of daily smoking patterns and cue exposure. Decades research excluded light smokers from treatment studies, 
limiting evaluation of smoking behavior and treatment outcomes.1,20 Only four clinical trials have focused on 
treating light smokers, including two of our Kick It at Swope (KIS) trials, and quit rates have been low.16,23,24,32 
While overall rates of smoking in the U.S. remain flat, the proportion of those who are light smokers continues 
to increase.28 Advancing tobacco treatment including attention to light smokers is timely and critical.  
B. Research is needed to advance treatment for African Americans, including light smokers.  
 
Because so few studies have focused on establishing evidence-based treatment for African American 
smokers16,19,24 there is limited data to guide clinical care for 5.6 million African American adult smokers. The 
proposed study builds on our history of research dedicated to advancing treatment of African American 
smokers through the Kick It at Swope (KIS) studies.  KIS-I (NCI R01 CA77856) established the efficacy of 
bupropion for initial and long-term smoking cessation among African American moderate to heavy (>10 cpd) 
smokers.33 KIS-II (NCI R01 CA91912) was the first treatment study for African American light smokers (<10 
cpd), evaluating nicotine gum versus placebo combined with health education (HE) counseling versus 
motivational interviewing (MI). Results showed no measurable benefit of nicotine gum potentially due to less 
than optimal adherence, but demonstrated the efficacy of HE counseling, showing a doubling in abstinence 
compared to MI.23 HE counseling will be used in the current proposal. KIS-III (NCI R01 CA091912), a placebo-
controlled trial of bupropion for light smokers, found bupropion increased abstinence during the medication 
phase of the study, but did not produce the long-term abstinence seen in KIS-I heavy smokers.24 KIS-III light 
smokers reported average use of 8 cpd, showed notably high levels of cotinine (275.8ng/ml), and reported 
smoking soon after wakening (72% within 30 min), suggesting physical nicotine dependence.34 Overall, the KIS 
studies have identified some differences in African American light and heavier smokers (e.g., long-term 
response to bupropion), but many similarities (e.g., higher cotinine levels compared to Whites, time to first 
cigarette showing reflecting nicotine dependence, bupropion doubled quit rates relative to placebo at end of 
treatment, long-term treatment response was related to adherence). To further advance treatment, we propose 
the first pharmacotherapy trial to include all levels of cpd to examine both shared and differentiating 
characteristics of African American smokers, and to evaluate how these factors impact treatment outcome.   
 
Given notable cotinine levels, nicotine dependence, and the early impact of bupropion on abstinence, 
findings support the idea that African American light smokers will benefit from pharmacotherapy to aid smoking 
cessation. Only two other studies have evaluated pharmacotherapy for light smokers.16,32 Shiffman 


demonstrated efficacy of nicotine lozenge relative to placebo in a largely White sample (1-15 cpd).32 Gariti16 
compared nicotine patch and bupropion in a racially mixed sample (6-15 cpd; 68% African American), and 
found lower quit rates among African Americans. Modest quit rates in those studies are consistent with our KIS 
findings, further supporting the need to improve treatment for African Americans, including light smokers.  
C. Evaluating varenicline for African Americans, including light smokers, is responsive to the Clinical 
Practice Guidelines.  
 
The Guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy to aid quitting, unless contraindicated.1 Varenicline, a α4β2 
nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist and antagonist, is a first-line medication for smoking cessation 
approved by the FDA in 2006. Varenicline demonstrates the highest quit rates of any single medication: 
average month 6 smoking abstinence rates for varenicline were 33%, compared to 19-27% for bupropion and 
nicotine replacement therapies and 13% for placebo.1 Past varenicline trials have included predominantly 
White samples, with less than 5% African Americans across studies,35 and have been unable to test efficacy 
specifically among African Americans. Given varenicline’s impact on the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, 
findings of genetic variability showing differences between African Americans and Whites associated with 
smoking and dependence36,37 add support for examining efficacy of varenicline in African Americans.  
 
While trials of varenicline have been conducted among moderate to heavy smokers,38-47 varenicline is 
approved for all levels of smokers. Prior studies have not shown differences in efficacy or safety of varenicline 
based on smoking level (i.e., moderate level smokers have similar rates of abstinence as heavier smokers), 
but light smokers of any racial/ethnic group have not been included and little is known about the side-effect 
profile in light smokers. Indeed, as varenicline is a non-nicotine medication and is not dosed based on smoking 
level, it is not expected that side effect profiles will differ in light smokers relative to heavier smokers. 
Nonetheless, we will evaluate this along the spectrum of smoking levels. Further, adherence to counseling and 
pharmacotherapy has been consistently linked to improved smoking cessation outcomes,48-50 and early 
adherence is identified as particularly important.48,51-53 Our pilot study of varenicline for moderate to heavy 
African American smokers (> 10 cpd) achieved excellent adherence (>86% of doses taken).48 Because side 
effects may impact adherence, we will include evaluation of these factors in relation to treatment outcome. 
 
Because varenicline acts, in part, by saturating the nicotinic receptor and thereby reducing the reinforcing 
effects of nicotine, i.e., reducing withdrawal and craving, as well as reducing the rewarding effects of 
smoking,54  it may be particularly appropriate for light smokers. While heavier smokers may titrate levels of 
nicotine in order to avoid withdrawal,55 light smokers may be more likely to smoke for the positively rewarding 
aspects of tobacco use. Utilization of a placebo-controlled design will allow evaluation of expected 
mechanisms of action, and over the course of treatment we will assess change in withdrawal and craving 
relative to placebo for all participants, and rewarding effects of nicotine for continued smokers.  
 
The proposed study addresses critical gaps in the literature by conducting the first known placebo-
controlled study of varenicline in African American smokers and the first study of light and moderate to heavy 
smokers within a single trial with the goal of examining efficacy for African American smokers. We will not 
formally examine equivalence between light and heavier smokers (see III.B.5.). Instead, we will focus on the 
clinically relevant question of whether varenicline is effective for each of these subgroups. This is particularly 
critical for light smokers, for whom few evidence-based treatments have been established. Our approach will 
enable evaluation of varenicline efficacy for African American smokers generally (Aim 1) and examine efficacy 
specifically within light smokers (Aim 2a) and also within moderate to heavy smokers (Aim 2b).  
 
Our proposed research will add vital scientific and clinically meaningful data beyond current NIH varenicline 
trials. One efficacy study of varenicline examines a predominantly White subset of light smokers (PI: Ebbert; 
NCT01639560), but that study will not address efficacy for African Americans. Our team is involved in another 
study to understand differences in quitting between African American and White smokers (PI: Nollen; 
NCT01836276), but that study does not evaluate efficacy of varenicline compared to placebo or any other 
treatment, does not include the full range of cpd, and will be unable to evaluate the effect of varenicline on side 
effects or factors that may contribute to treatment efficacy (e.g., withdrawal, craving, reward, medication 
adherence) compared to placebo, all of which are important contributions of the proposed study. 
D. Nicotine intake may inform dependence, treatment response, and disease burden.  
 
Compared to moderate to heavy smokers, light smokers historically have been thought to be less 
dependent, less in need of treatment to aid quitting, and excluded from clinical trials.1,20 Cigarettes per day 
(cpd) was commonly used as a proxy for dependence, i.e., the more cigarettes smoked, the higher nicotine 
intake must be, producing a more physically dependent smoker. Thus, it was largely presumed physical 
dependence was not a concern for light smokers. Many clinical trials with predominantly White samples of 
moderate to heavy smokers showed cpd and nicotine dependence predicted treatment outcome, i.e., higher 


dependence or greater cpd increased risk for continued smoking.56-59 However, as research has begun to 
examine light smokers, findings show many light smokers have difficulty quitting, are unable to quit even when 
motivated and using treatment, and benefit from pharmacotherapy.24,32 With African American smokers, 
understanding “light” smokers by only considering cpd may be limited, as low cpd does not clearly translate to 
low levels of nicotine intake. African American smokers have higher levels of cotinine based on their smoking 
level compared to White smokers.12,60 Variation in nicotine metabolism plays some role, as African Americans 
are more likely to have slower nicotine and cotinine metabolism,13 such that they smoke fewer cpd but produce 
higher levels of cotinine.11 In both KIS-II and KIS-III, baseline cotinine rather than cpd predicted treatment 
outcome.51,61 Cotinine is metabolized to 3-hydroxycotinine (3HC). The 3HC:cotinine ratio is a valid, noninvasive 
marker for nicotine metabolism.62,63 Use of menthol cigarettes may also contribute to the ability to intake higher 
levels of nicotine per cigarette smoked.64,65 Given limited data on African American light smokers (e.g., higher 
cotinine, similar nicotine intake to heavier smokers of other racial/ethnic groups, challenges in stopping 
smoking16), it will be informative to expand our evaluation, looking beyond cpd by examining nicotine intake 
across all cpd levels. Total nicotine exposure is best estimated by measuring total nicotine equivalents (TNE) 
(nicotine and all major nicotine metabolites: nicotine, nicotine-glucuronide, cotinine, cotinine-glucuronide, 3-
hydroxycotinine, 3HC-glucuronide) in urine.66 Nicotine intake is a direct measure of the extent of self-
administration. Individuals with lower levels of nicotine intake are expected to respond better to less intensive 
treatment intervention, while those with higher levels might have greater need for pharmacotherapy to aid 
abstinence. In this study, we will expand evaluation of our sample by evaluating TNE in relation to cotinine, 
nicotine metabolism (3HC:cotinine), and cpd, and will examine these factors as predictors of abstinence (Aim 
3). By moving beyond simple conceptualization of light and heavy smokers based only on cpd, we will advance 
our understanding of how these factors may influence differential response to treatment. 
 
Further understanding nicotine intake in relation to carcinogen exposure remains important given health 
disparities experienced by African American smokers. For example, Africans Americans have a higher lung 
cancer risk than White smokers, with this difference most pronounced at low levels of cigarette consumption.67  
Indeed, while the relative risk at >30 cpd is not significant (1.22; ns), relative risk is increased at 11-20 cpd 
(1.75; p < .001) and even greater at <10 cpd (2.22; p < .01). While cpd provides some indication of disease 
risk, it is not an accurate estimate of carcinogen exposure.68 Assessment of nicotine intake (using TNE) is 
highly correlated with carcinogen exposure, as measured in 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3)pyridyl-1-butanol 
(NNAL). NNAL is a specific biomarker for tobacco smoke carcinogenicity.69,70 NNAL is a pulmonary carcinogen 
and metabolite of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3)pyridyl-1-butanone (NNK), a tobacco-specific nitrosamine related 
to the development of lung cancer.68 Benowitz and colleagues found NNAL and TNE assessed in urine are 
highly correlated, independent of race.68 Prior studies of the relationship between nicotine exposure and NNAL 
have been limited in terms of analysis specifically of African Americans across the spectrum of cpd: these 
studies have not been designed to adequately evaluate light smokers within the lower levels of the smoking 
continuum or heavier African American smokers above 20 cpd.68,71,72 The proposed research would advance  
previous findings: examination of nicotine intake (TNE) and carcinogen exposure in African American smokers 
(Aim 3), including all levels of cpd, would expand our understanding of these relationships, thereby elucidating 
biological factors that may contribute to the disproportionate disease burden faced by this high risk group.68  
E. Biopsychosocial factors influence tobacco use and treatment outcomes.     
Our research is guided by the Biobehavioral Model of Nicotine Addiction and Tobacco-Related Cancers,103-
104 which conceptualizes tobacco use as resulting from multifaceted relationships between psychological, 
social, and biological factors in relation to behavioral 
factors, and in relation to tobacco use, smoking cessation 
and relapse, and subsequent morbidity. While some 
factors contributing to African American smoking may be 
shared risk factors identified in other groups (e.g., gender, 
dependence, lower socioeconomic status), other factors 
may be particularly salient for African American smokers 
(e.g., nicotine intake, menthol use). Because  
biopsychosocial determinants of smoking may differ by 
racial or ethnic group, empirical study focused specifically 
on African American smokers is needed to advance 
treatment.73 We propose to describe key psychological 
(e.g., withdrawal, craving, reward), smoking (behavioral 
and biological factors, e.g., smoking level, nicotine intake, 


menthol use), and treatment factors (side effects, medication adherence, counseling adherence) characterizing 
African American smokers, in order to learn more about the relationship between these factors and treatment 
outcome (smoking abstinence) (Aim 4). Measures and analyses are detailed in III.J. and III.K. While we expect 
interaction between some of these factors (e.g., nicotine intake and smoking level), the proposed analyses will 
identify critical relationships as a foundation on which to advance this line of research in order to better 
understand mechanisms of action. Further, as African Americans are a hetero-geneous group, identification of 
individual differences may shed light on individual protective or risk factors related to tobacco use and 
treatment response. As novel therapeutics are designed for treating tobacco use and as behavioral 
interventions recognize key individual differences, elucidation of pertinent biopsychosocial factors will promote 
tailored treatment and enhance treatment efficacy. Increased treatment efficacy will subsequently reduce 
tobacco-related health disparities, morbidity and mortality among African Americans. 
F. Summary of Impact.    
 
The proposed evaluation of varenicline treatment for African American smokers is responsive to the 
Clinical Practice Guidelines’ call for treatment research among minorities and research including light 
smokers.1 Experience from our previous KIS trials suggests efficacy of pharmacotherapy established in Whites 
cannot be applied to efficacy in African Americans, who differ from White smokers in terms of smoking patterns 
and rates of cessation. A varenicline trial is imperative for improving knowledge about factors that promote and 
inhibit abstinence in African Americans across the full range of cpd.  Given a) the heavy and disproportionate 
disease burden faced by African American smokers, b) the relatively lower quitting success seen in African 
American smokers, c) the increasing proportion of light smokers in the general population and among African 
Americans, and d) the limited study of African American smokers or light smokers, our findings have the 
potential for major impact on advancing treatment, reducing mortality, and narrowing the health disparities gap.  
 
By being the first placebo-controlled, pharmacotherapy clinical trial to include all levels of smokers, we will 
be able to evaluate shared or differing responses to varenicline relative to placebo with specific attention to 
mechanisms of action. In doing so, we will know more about key behavioral and biological features that will 
provide tangible evidence to direct clinical care and to inform future intervention research. The proposed study 
will also advance biological characterization of African American smoking, elucidating key relationships 
between nicotine intake, smoking level and carcinogen exposure. This knowledge is critical to improving 
treatment for African American smokers, with implications for individualized pharmacotherapy and education 
about personalized health risks. Establishing efficacy of varenicline for African American smokers with 
attention to both light and heavier smokers will have significant direct impact on clinical practice guidelines for 
treatment of this high-risk group. Any advancement in treatment will subsequently reduce tobacco-related 
morbidity and mortality and will narrow the gap to reduce tobacco-related health disparities.  
II. INNOVATION    
 
The proposed research marks the first placebo-controlled study of varenicline among African American 
smokers and the first to include all smoking levels. Emphasis on the full range of smoking levels is culturally 
relevant because over half of African American daily smokers are light smokers. This study will also be the 
first, within the context of treatment, to characterize nicotine intake (using TNE) and carcinogen exposure 
among African American smokers across the full spectrum of smoking level. Further, while standard design for 
smoking cessation pharmacotherapy trials includes evaluation at end of treatment (EOT) and long-term (e.g., 6 
month) follow-up, such a design does not allow examination of potential early relapse following EOT. KIS-I and 
–III found significant drug effect during treatment but different long-term medication effects, yet study design 
did not collect data immediately following EOT. The proposed study design is strengthened by evaluating 
abstinence during the treatment phase (through Week 12, EOT), adding evaluation at Week 16, and including 
long-term evaluation (Month 6) to elucidate our understanding of smoking behavior change and relapse. 
Innovation is enhanced by the application of the Biobehavioral Model to the evaluation of African American 
smoking and treatment response. Using 3:2 randomization will allow more participants to receive active 
medication which will strengthen evaluation of side effects and medication adherence, and will facilitate 
examination of relationships between biopsychosocial and smoking factors in relation to treatment variables. 
We will stratify randomization on cpd (<10 or >10) and gender, to ensure balance across treatment groups. 
Proposed measurement offers evaluation of self-reported smoking behavior that may capture variations in daily 
patterns which may be more evident in light smokers. Identifying effective pharmacotherapy and elucidating 
pertinent biopsychosocial factors related to abstinence will advance personalized treatment, thereby enhancing 
treatment efficacy. Our experienced, multidisciplinary investigative team, established community infrastructure, 
and history of smoking cessation trials with African Americans make us uniquely qualified to successfully 
complete this research.   


III. APPROACH 
A. Overview.    
The proposed research is a randomized, double-blind, 
placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of 
varenicline among African American smokers. Five-
hundred African American smokers will be randomized 
using a 3:2 ratio to receive varenicline (n=300) or placebo 
(n=200) for 12 weeks. Randomization will be stratified on 
cpd (<10 or >10) and gender. All participants will receive a culturally-appropriate smoking cessation guide and 
individually-tailored, health education counseling. Follow-up assessment will occur at Weeks 16 and 26. 
Participation will last for 6 months. Self-reported assessment will measure smoking history and key 
psychosocial constructs, and salivary assessment will provide biological assessment of nicotine intake and 
verification of self-reported smoking abstinence. Study visits will be located at Swope Health Central (see 
III.D). Implementation will be supported by our KIS Community Advisory Board and community partners.  
B. Design rationale and considerations.   
B.1. Why a placebo-controlled trial? Because so few African Americans have been included in previous 
placebo-controlled trials of varenicline, sub-analyses of efficacy specifically within African American smokers 
have not been published. A placebo-control design allows evaluation of varenicline i) efficacy (blind to 
treatment condition), ii) side-effects, iii) effects on factors such as withdrawal, craving, reward, depression and 
iv) adherence. We considered comparing varenicline to bupropion or nicotine replacement, but identified 
several concerns. Two studies of nicotine replacement for light smokers23,32 noted challenges in dosing light 
smokers and limited treatment response. We considered comparison to bupropion; however, our KIS-III trial of 
bupropion for African American light smokers did not show a sustained treatment effect.24 Bupropion also has 
a greater number of contraindications compared to varenicline, which would result in a higher rate of exclusion 
of interested smokers. We endorse the need to evaluate all forms of pharmacotherapy for African American 
smokers, but focused this proposal on varenicline. Finally, we will not have a ‘no treatment’ condition, as all 
participants will receive individualized health education (HE) counseling: this practical, strategy and skill 
focused counseling was found to double quit rates compared to Motivational Interviewing, in our sample of 
African American smokers in KIS-II.23 Thus all participants in this study will be provided with an effective 
counseling intervention, which is well beyond usual care. 
B.2. Why 3:2 randomization? This study will examine African American smokers, an underserved population. 
Increasing the number of participants who will be receiving active medication strengthens three objectives. 
First, the increased number will strengthen our ability to describe side effects of active medication. Second, we 
will enhance our ability to evaluate Treatment Factors (medication adherence). Finally, we expect increased 
likelihood of receiving active medication to facilitate recruitment and enhance community support for this trial.  
B.3. Safety of varenicline in light smokers? Varenicline is FDA approved for use with all smokers. We will use 
established inclusion/exclusion criteria for use of varenicline in this study. Data from previous trials show no 
evidence of increased number or greater severity of side effects in lighter (10-15cpd) compared to heavier 
smokers (>15cpd) (Pfizer, M. Posey, personal communication, May 1, 2010). Data from our varenicline pilot in 
African American moderate to heavy smokers also showed no correlation between smoking level and number 
or severity of side effects. However, as varenicline has not been previously evaluated for smokers who use 
<10cpd, we will routinely monitor side effects and follow protocols for reducing or discontinuing varenicline in 
the event of severe adverse events (AE), including discontinuation of varenicline in accordance with the most 
current FDA guidelines. In our varenicline pilot study only 2% of participants required discontinuation due to 
mood disturbance or neuropsychiatric symptoms: all other AEs were expected and not severe (e.g., nausea).  
B.4. Why stratify randomization based on cpd and gender? Randomization will be stratified based on smoking 
level (<10 cpd or >10cpd) and gender (female or male) in order to ensure a balanced allocation of light 
smokers to each treatment, heavier smokers to each treatment, and females and males to each treatment. 
This approach will ensure there is no confounding between these two variables and treatment allocation. We 
are not focusing on cpd and gender as primary moderators, but instead propose to evaluate these and other 
individual characteristics within the proposed analyses (see III.K.) 
B.5. Why not compare light versus heavier smokers? We do not hypothesize varenicline to have significantly 
greater efficacy in light or heavier smokers due to the partial agonist and antagonist effects which may allow it 
to both reduce the positively rewarding aspects of smoking as well as the negatively reinforcing effects of 
withdrawal; indeed, because of these properties, we expect varenicline to demonstrate efficacy in light 
smokers and in heavier smokers. Our approach does not determine whether varenicline effects are equivalent 
Table 1. Study timeline. 
 
Yr 1 
Yr 2 
Yr 3 
Yr 4 
Yr 5 
Development* 
 
 
 
 
 
Enrollment 
 
 
 
 
 
Follow-up 
 
 
 
 
 
Laboratory eval. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Data analyses 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Includes production of medication & matching placebo. 


across light and heavier smokers: to perform a full equivalence test between light and heavier smokers, it 
would require over 1200 participants, which is well beyond budget constraints for this trial (see also III.K.3.2). 
Instead, we focus on the most clinically relevant questions of not only i) does varenicline increase abstinence 
among African American smokers generally? (Aim 1) but also ii) does it work for light smokers? (Aim 2a) and 
iii) does it work for heavier smokers? (Aim 2b) to most directly inform treatment and clinical practice. 
B.6. Generalizability. Due to medication contraindications, generalizability of findings will be limited to African 
American smokers for whom varenicline may be safely considered. Our multi-channel, community-wide 
recruitment will support diversity of participant enrollment. We anticipate the majority of our sample will be 
lower SES, but relatively balanced between light smokers and moderate to heavy smokers. Given increasing 
prevalence of light smoking in the U.S. and high rates in some minority groups, the findings will be meaningful 
to a growing population. Our careful selection of assessments will aid the characterization of our sample and 
evaluation of the generalizability of our findings.   
C. Preliminary studies. 
 
 Our multidisciplinary team has extensive experience conducting tobacco control, health disparities, and 
smoking cessation research. Dr. Cox has 15 years experience in controlled trials of pharmacotherapy and 
behavioral treatment of tobacco use, including minority populations, and was the Principal Investigator of the 
most recent NCI-funded KIS-III trial of African American smokers (CA091912). Dr. Ahluwalia is a leader in 
tobacco-related health disparities and has led 4 smoking cessation RCTs enrolling over 2,000 African 
American smokers. Dr. Benowitz is a preeminent expert on the pharmacology of nicotine in humans, including 
nicotine and carcinogen exposure and metabolism across racial/ethnic groups. Drs. Nollen and Ellerbeck have 
led three NIH-R01 tobacco treatment clinical trials in underserved populations. Dr. Faseru has expertise in 
chronic disease prevention in underserved populations and, through an NIH-funded minority supplement, was 
a co-I on the KIS-III trial. Dr. Mayo has expertise in biostatistics and led the analytical components of all three 
KIS trials. Our consultant, Dr. Tyndale, is an internationally recognized expert in drug metabolism related to 
tobacco use. Detailed description of the expertise of this team is found in the budget justification.  Overall, this 
team has an established history of collaboration and successful completion of NIH-funded research. 
 
The selected research highlighted below supports the current proposal demonstrating 1) successful 
recruitment and retention of African American smokers in pharmacotherapy clinical trials involving biological 
data collection, 2) our success in conducting community-based research in collaboration with Swope Health 
Central, 3) support for health education (HE) counseling, 4) feasibility of varenicline, protocols for medication 
management, and adverse event reporting, 5) use of pill boxes, adherence counseling and assessment, 6) our 
ability to maintain the integrity and fidelity of interventions, 7) existing protocols for training, supervision, and 
data management, and 8) our success with multidisciplinary, inter-institutional collaboration. Our KIS trials and 
varenicline pilot study have produced 45 publications to date, making substantial contributions to the literature 
on African American smoking behavior and treatment.    
C.1. Kick It at Swope (KIS-I): (NCI R01 CA77856; Ahluwalia (PI), Mayo), KIS-I demonstrated efficacy of 
standard bupropion for 600 African American moderate to heavy smokers (>10 cpd) showing significant 
treatment effect of bupropion compared to placebo at Week 7 end of treatment (36% vs. 19%) and at Month 6 
follow-up (21% vs. 13%).33 Greater reduction in depression was seen in the bupropion group compared to 
placebo, but there was no treatment effect on withdrawal reduction. 84% of the sample returned at 6 months. 
C.2. Kick It at Swope II (KIS-II): (NCI R01 CA91912; Ahluwalia (PI), Nollen, Mayo, Benowitz, Cox).  The first 
treatment study of AA light smokers (<10cpd) demonstrated the efficacy of health education (HE) counseling 
compared to motivational interviewing (MI) (16.7% vs. 8.5% abstinence at Month 6 follow-up) but found no 
significant effect of nicotine gum relative to placebo.23 84.4% completed 6 month follow-up. Because health 
education doubled quit rates relative to MI, we used HE in KIS-III and will use HE in the proposed study. 
C.3. Kick It at Swope III (KIS-III): Enhancing tobacco use treatment among African American light smokers. 
(NCI R01 CA091912) Cox (PI), Ahluwalia, Benowitz, Faseru, Mayo, Nollen. Dr. Cox (PI) led KIS-III, a double-
blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial evaluating the efficacy of bupropion versus placebo for smoking 
cessation among 540 African American light smokers (<10 cpd) who all received HE counseling. Participants 
smoked an average 8.0 cpd, had a mean serum cotinine of 275.8ng/ml, had 3.7 quit attempts in the past year, 
and 72% smoked within 30 minutes of waking.74 At Week 26 follow-up, cotinine-confirmed abstinence rates 
were 13.3% and 10.0% in the bupropion and placebo groups, respectively, showing no significant group 
difference in long-term abstinence.24 However, at Week 7 end of treatment, confirmed abstinence rates were 
23.7% in the bupropion group and 9.6% in the placebo group (p < 0.0001) showing a significant drug effect 
during the medication phase.24 The initial treatment effect could not be attributed to reduction in withdrawal or 
depression, completion of study visits, or adverse events.24 Use of non-menthol cigarettes, lower baseline 


cotinine, medication use, and counseling session attendance predicted abstinence at Week 7.51 Drug 
adherence was limited and early adherence significantly increased abstinence.75 Lack of long-term efficacy in 
KIS-III light smokers was in contrast to significant long-term benefit of bupropion in KIS-I moderate to heavy 
smokers. KIS-III findings highlight the initial effect of bupropion treatment on supporting quitting in African 
American light smokers and the clear challenge of abstinence for light smokers not using pharmacotherapy.  
C.4. Does Varenicline Help African American Smokers Quit: (Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute Pilot 
Study; Nollen (PI), Cox, Ahluwalia, Ellerbeck, Benowitz). This pilot study of varenicline among 72 African 
American moderate to heavy smokers (>10 cpd) included emphasis on medication adherence within 
counseling, pill-boxes to support medication adherence, and a combination of medication monitoring and self-
report to assess medication adherence. This pilot demonstrated feasibility and safety, but included a limited 
sample, no placebo, and was not designed or powered to evaluate efficacy. Cotinine-verified abstinence was 
24% at Week 12 end of treatment: while this rate was modest compared to varenicline efficacy trials (with 
predominantly White samples),38-47 it is promising relative to other pharmacotherapy trials in African 
Americans.16,23,24,33,76 This pilot achieved excellent adherence (86% of doses were taken at Week 12) and 
retention (85% returned at Week 12).48 We examined side effects by smoking level and found no significant 
difference in mean number of total or severe side effects between moderate (11-15 cpd) and heavier (>15cpd) 
smokers.48 Protocols to be used in the proposed study include i) varenicline distribution and adherence 
assessment, ii) assessment of adverse events and counseling strategies for managing varenicline side-effects, 
and iii) monitoring mood per FDA guidelines. 
D. Study site.  
Swope Health Central is a community clinic located in urban Kansas City. Swope and the University of Kansas 
Medical Center have had a collaborative relationship for over 14 years, and Swope has been the home of our 
three previous NIH R01 KIS trials and our varenicline pilot. Swope has over 51,000 unique patients who 
complete over 174,000 yearly visits; 75% of patients are African American. 
 E. Community Advisory Board (CAB).  
Our existing CAB (community leaders, healthcare providers, clergy, media experts, former smokers, some of 
whom have served on our CAB since KIS-I) will meet twice annually to review materials/recruitment, act as a 
local sponsor for the project, and facilitate dissemination of findings.  
F. Recruitment.  
We will enroll 500 eligible adult 
African American smokers. Prior 
KIS trials support our 
considerable knowledge of 
recruitment, in coordination with 
Swope,74,77 enrolling over 2,000 
African American smokers to 
date. While recruiting solely from Swope is feasible (Table 2), limited recruitment would reduce generalizability 
of study findings. Thus, as in our previous studies, recruitment will extend to the greater Kansas City area 
(population 2.1 million, 11.9% African American). Participants will be recruited using a combination of our most 
successful methods (described elsewhere35,76) through multiple clinic and community-based strategies running 
concurrently. We will also add new methods taking advantage of electronic medical records within KUMC 
(identifying 1,900 African 
American smokers from 
outpatient clinics in past 6 
months) and of our 
membership in the Midwest 
Cancer Alliance to further 
enhance enrollment. 
G. Participants.  
Eligibility criteria are outlined in 
Table 3. To minimize risk, 
exclusion criteria are consistent 
with contraindications for 
varenicline. An authorized 
provider, which includes the 
study physician, Dr. Ed 
Table 3. Eligibility Criteria 
Inclusion Criteria 
Exclusion Criteria 
• Self-identified African 
American 
• ≥ 18 years of age 
• Smokes >1cpd 
• Smoke on >25 days of 
the past 30 days  
• Functioning telephone 
• Interested in quitting 
smoking 
• Interested in taking 3 
months of varenicline 
• Willing to complete all 
study visits  
• Medication approval from 
their own physician 
• Renal impairment  
• Evidence or history of clinically significant allergic reactions to 
varenicline  
• A cardiovascular event in the past month 
• History of alcohol or drug dependence in the past year 
• Major depressive disorder in the last year requiring treatment 
• History of panic disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder, or eating 
disorders 
• Use of tobacco products other than cigarettes in past 30 days 
• Use of pharmacotherapy in the month prior to enrollment, including 
prior use of varenicline  
• Pregnant, contemplating getting pregnant, or breastfeeding 
• Plans to move from KC during the treatment and follow-up phase 
• Another household member enrolled in the study 
Table 2. Example of potential for clinic-based recruitment from Swope Health Central. 
Annual 
Adult 
Visits 
Unique 
patients 
per year 
Adjust 
for 75% 
AA at 
Swope 
Adjust for 
smoking 
prevalence* 
Adjust 
down for 
50% light 
smokers 
Adjust down 
50% for 
ineligible 
and refusals  
Adjust down 
40% for no-
show to 
enrollment 
Targeted 
enrollment 
174,128 
51,868 
38,901 
10,892 
4,901 
2,450 
eligible 
1,470 
610 
*Adjustment for smoking prevalence by gender = 28%  


Ellerbeck, authorized providers at the KUMC CRU, or the patient’s primary care provider must approve use of 
varenicline for each participant, in writing, prior to enrollment. Individuals not receiving authorization will not be 
enrolled into the study.  Inclusion criteria identify daily smokers (the focus of this study), and exclude 
intermittent smokers (smoking fewer than 5 days/week), and those transitioning in behavior (smoked current 
pattern < 12 months). Those ineligible for the study will be offered self-help materials and referral to local 
cessation resources. 
 H. Intervention. 
 H.1. Kick It at Swope Guide. The Kick It at Swope: Stop Smoking Guide is a 36-page health education guide 
used in our KIS-II and KIS-III studies. The guide will be revised and updated to include information on 
varenicline, importance of medication adherence and strategies to support adherence. 
 H.2. Health Education (HE) Counseling. Our work and others have documented the efficacy of directive, 
health education (HE) counseling including information, cognitive and behavioral components.16,23,78 Specific 
content for HE counseling (outlined in Table 4) is consistent with treatment guidelines, incorporating cognitive 
and behavioral strategies and skill building based on personal needs to individualize treatment. The 
Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of adherence behavior change, will support medication 
use.79-85 Sessions will incorporate use of the Kick It at Swope: Stop Smoking Guide. Quality of counseling is 
critical to study integrity. Drs. Cox and Nollen will lead training along with Dr. Faseru (Co-I) and Project Director 
Tricia Snow, MPH. Counseling sessions will be audio-taped for weekly supervision provided by Dr. Nollen. 
Counselors will also complete training in human subjects protection, management of adverse events, suicide 
assessment/referral, and data management, with ongoing fidelity monitoring per established protocols.  
H.3. Varenicline.  Dosing will be 1mg of 
varenicline twice daily, with titration 
following standard dosing guidelines 
(0.5 mg once daily for 3 days, 0.5 mg 
twice daily for 4 days, then 1 mg twice 
daily for the remaining 11 weeks of 
treatment). Varenicline is an FDA 
approved medication for smoking 
cessation. Common side effects are 
nausea, insomnia, vivid dreams, dry 
mouth, flatulence, constipation, 
irritability, headaches, dizziness, 
fatigue. We are sensitive to the FDA 
warnings regarding neuropsychiatric 
complications (depressed mood, 
suicidal behavior) and cardiovascular 
symptoms reported in some patients. 
We will protect participants and minimize risks by using strict exclusion criteria and careful monitoring of 
Adverse Events (AE). Varenicline use will be under supervision of study physician Dr. Ellerbeck and clinical 
psychologists Drs. Cox and Nollen. Participants will be prompted to report side effects at each visit and given 
the study phone number to report AEs at interim time points. Issues needing medical attention will be referred 
to Dr. Ellerbeck. We will follow NIH guidelines for reporting AEs to the Human Subjects Committee. Further we 
will be supported by the University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). 
Varenicline will be discontinued for those who become pregnant or develop a contraindication that requires 
discontinuation (e.g., persistent vomiting, neuropsychiatric complications). Per package insert, dose reduction 
from 2 mg to 1 mg per day may be recommended for other moderate to severe symptoms (e.g., headache) 
that have not diminished with side-effect management techniques. Active or identical placebo medication will 
be dispensed in pill boxes: participants will receive one month of study medication at Weeks 0, 4, and 8. Pill 
boxes will include one week of extra medication to ensure adequate time to obtain the next medication refill. 
Participants will be asked to begin medication the day after randomization and to set a quit date for Day 8.   
I. Study procedures. 
I.1. Initial screening. Interviews by phone or in person will review inclusion/ exclusion criteria and provide 
detailed information about study participation. Those eligible and interested will be scheduled for final, in 
person, eligibility screening within 14 days at Swope Health Central. 
I.2. Final screening, consent, enrollment, randomization (Week 0). Final eligibility will be in person at Swope or 
at the KUMC CRU to minimize attrition. It will include a pregnancy test for women of childbearing age. For 
Table 4. Overview of Health Education Counseling Sessions 
Session 
Goal 
Topic 
Wk 0 
Establish rapport, 
emphasize willingness 
to help, encourage 
motivation/confidence to 
quit. 
Health risks for AA smokers, benefits of 
quitting, learning from quit attempts; 
develop quit day plan; instructions of 
medication use, emphasizing adherence; 
identifying triggers, managing withdrawal. 
Wk 1 
 
 
via 
phone 
Reinforce quit day plan, 
address medication use, 
identify concerns, 
barriers, and strategies 
for success. 
If quit: Rewarding yourself, recovering 
from slip, review medication 
use/adherence, managing stress, 
alternatives to smoking, identify 
barriers/strategies, living smoke-free. 
If still smoking: Review reasons for not 
quitting, reasons for quitting, discuss 
specific problems that lead to relapse, 
problem solve primary barriers, and 
attempt to set a new quit plan. 
Wks 4, 
8, 12, 16 
 
 
in 
person 
Reinforce/encourage 
abstinence efforts. 
Identify concerns, 
barriers, and strategies 
for successes. 
 


those eligible, staff will review consent forms describing study goals, procedures, medication risks, and 
confidentiality. Staff will emphasize voluntary participation; participants may withdraw at any time without 
affecting their relationships with Swope or the University. Staff will answer questions, obtain verbal and written 
informed consent, and distribute a copy of the consent form. Those completing consent will be enrolled and 
assigned a unique  
identification number.  
I.3. Medication dispensing 
(Weeks 0,4,8). Medication 
will be dispensed in pill 
boxes in one month 
increments (received at 
Weeks 0,4,8, returned at 
Week 12). We tested 
feasibility of pill boxes and 
monthly refill visits in our 
varenicline pilot and 
achieved excellent 
adherence (90% of doses 
taken at Week 4; 86% at 
Week 12).48   
I.4. Health education 
counseling (Weeks 0,1,4,8,12,16). Counseling sessions (described above) will be completed in person at 
Weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and by telephone at Week 1. The number of sessions is consistent with previous KIS 
studies. Sessions will last approximately 30 minutes. 
I.5. Self-report assessment (Weeks 0,4,8,12,16, and Month 6).  Trained staff will administer self-report 
assessments at each in person visit. Time to complete surveys will be approximately 30-40 minutes at Week 0, 
15 minutes at Weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, and Month 6 . Compared to our previous clinical trials, we have increased 
the number of assessment time-points in order to gather additional information about smoking behavior 
change, relapse, and medication adherence. 
I.6. Biological sample collection.  Urine collection (Week 0) will assess total nicotine exposure (TNE), 
measuring levels of nicotine, cotinine, 3-hydroxycotinine (3HC), and their respective glucuronide metabolites. 
The molar sum of all metabolites normalized for urine creatinine will be computed (called nicotine equivalents) 
as the estimate of daily nicotine intake from smoking. Week 0 urine will also be used to assess total NNAL 
(free plus glucuronide) as an indicator of carcinogen exposure. Blood will be collected at Week 0 and will be 
used for analysis of nicotine metabolism genotype (CYP2A6 and associated markers) and phenotype 
(3HC:cotinine nicotine metabolism ratio).  Blood collected at Week 4 will measure varenicline levels to assess 
medication adherence early in treatment. Saliva will be collected at all in-person visits beyond baseline from 
those reporting 7-day point-prevalence abstinence, to provide biological verification of smoking status, using 
the cut-point of 15ng/mL to differentiate smokers from nonsmokers.86 Only among participants who self-report 
abstinence but also report use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (contrary to study protocol), we will 
collect urine samples for assessment of anabasine and anatabine (tobacco alkaloids) as biomarkers of tobacco 
use, to distinguish from NRT.87 Standard procedures will be used for urine nicotine, cotinine, 3HC, urine NNAL, 
blood nicotine metabolism and varenicline, and salivary cotinine samples. Dr. Benowitz and Dr. Tyndale’s labs 
will use standard quality control measures. 
I.7. Stratified randomization based on smoking level (cpd) and gender. Randomization will be stratified based 
on smoking level (<10 cpd or >10cpd) and gender (female or male) in order to ensure similar numbers of 
lighter and heavier smokers in each treatment condition and similar numbers of females and males in each 
treatment condition. Producing treatment groups balanced on these factors will strengthen proposed analyses. 
I.8. Retention.  KIS trials have had successful retention, using a system of reminders and compensation. 
Participants will provide contact information (address, email, two telephone numbers, alternate contact) to 
facilitate follow-up. Post cards and multiple calls will be used to remind all follow-up visits.  
Missed sessions will be followed by 6 calls to the participant or alternate contact in effort to complete the 
session in the protocol window (see Appendix).  
I.9. Remuneration. Participants will be given a ClinCard and the following amounts will be loaded on the card 
after completion of specific study visits: $30 at Wks 0 and 4, $20 at Wks 8 and 16, $40 at Week 12, and $50 at 
Wk 26. If participants complete all study visits, they will be compensated a total of $190 for their time/travel and 
Table 5. Overview of Major Study Events 
 
 
Pharmacotherapy Phase 
Follow-up 
 
Screen 
Enroll 
Quit 
Date 
 
 
EOT 
 
Primary 
Outcome 
 
Week/Month 
 
Wk 0 
Wk 1 
Wk 4 
Wk 8 
Wk 12 
Wk 16 
Mo 6 
 
Remuneration 
 
$30 
 
$30 
$20 
$40 
$20 
$50 
 
Intervention 
Counseling 
 
x 
x* 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
 
Dispense meds. 
 
x 
 
x 
x 
 
 
 
 
Measures 
Screening 
x* 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consent 
 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assessments 
 
x 
 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
 
Biological Sample Collection 
Urine  
 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blood  
 
x 
 
x 
 
 
 
 
 
Saliva  
 
 
 
x 
 
x 
x 
x 
 
*Phone visit; all other visits in-person. 


in appreciation for their participation. Compensation will not be contingent on smoking status. Participants will 
also be given $20 for each referral who is eligible and enrolls in the study.  Each participant may refer up to 3 
total referrals. 
J. Measures.  
Measure selection was guided by our theoretical model and factors related to cessation. Measures are widely 
used, validated, and demonstrate adequate psychometric properties in our studies with African Americans. 
Due to varied participant literacy levels, questions will be read to or along with participants by study staff.  
J.1. Primary Outcome. Smoking Abstinence: The primary endpoint is biochemically verified 7-day point 
prevalence abstinence defined as no cigarettes (not even a puff) for the previous 7 days at Month 6, as defined 
in consensus statements.88  Secondary endpoints will be verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at Week 
12 (EOT). Saliva will be collected from participants who self-report 7-day point prevalence abstinence at post-
baseline visits (Weeks 4,,12,16, and Month 6) to evaluate abstinence over the course of the study. Cotinine is 
the measure of choice because of its superior sensitivity and specificity.12,88  We will use the recommended 
cut-point of 15ng/mL to differentiate smokers from nonsmokers. Note: Cotinine levels from even excessive 
secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure (5-6 ng/ml) are far lower than our cut-point for abstinence verification (15 
ng/ml),89thus we will not risk misclassification due to SES exposure.  Further, to differentiate abstinent 
individuals who may have used nicotine replacement (contrary to study protocol), among those who report 
abstinence but also self-report NRT, we will collect urine to evaluate tobacco alkaloids anabasine and 
anatabine to distinguish tobacco use from NRT and thereby validate tobacco abstinence.87  
J.2. Demographics. We will assess age, gender, marital status, education, income, employment at Week 0. 
J.3 Smoking Variables. Items from the COMMIT Smoking Prevalence Survey will assess Smoking History: 
tobacco use, age when first smoked, age when started smoking regularly, quitting/relapse history, use of 
menthol, brand smoked, home smoking restrictions, and social influence on smoking. Baseline assessment of 
Nicotine Dependence will use the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)90 which includes “time to 
first cigarette” of the day, increasingly considered a proxy for individual level of nicotine dependence for even 
light smokers, and the multidimensional Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives.91 At all 
timepoints, we will assess Daily Smoking Patterns using the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB)92,93 which measures 
estimated daily number of cigarettes and variation in smoking patterns over time, to examine initial abstinence, 
smoking reduction, lapses, time to relapse, and behavior transitions recommended for assessment of 
treatment mechanisms.94 Standardized PROMIS items (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information 
System) will be used to assess baseline (Week 0) Dependence, Smoking Motivation, and Health 
Expectancies. For participants who report a quit attempt and subsequent relapse, we will assess reasons for 
relapse at Weeks 4, 12, 16, and 26.   
J.4. Social and Psychological Variables. Baseline assessment (Week 0) will include standard survey items of 
use of alcohol (AUDIT), marijuana and prescription pain relievers (SAMSHA National Survey on Drug Use). 
We will measure Social Isolation at Week 0 using Cohen’s Social Network Index. To evaluate potential 
changes over the course of treatment, we will evaluate nicotine withdrawal, craving, and negative affect at 
Weeks 0,4,7,12. We will assess Nicotine Withdrawal using the Minnesota Withdrawal Scale (MNWS)98; 
Craving using the Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU-Brief),99 a multidimensional measure of craving; 
and symptoms of Depression using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), short 
form, a 10-item measure of psychological distress, assessing cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms of 
depression.100 Finally, we will assess Reinforcing Effects of Smoking (e.g., satisfaction, reward) using the 11-
item modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ)101,102 at Week 0 for all participants and at Weeks 
4,7,12 for continuing smokers. We will also examine Stress (Perceived Stress Scale, 4-item) and Anxiety 
(Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, 7-item) at Weeks 0, 4, 12, 26. 
J.5. Biological Variables. Baseline urine samples will be used to evaluate nicotine intake as total nicotine 
equivalents (TNE) (defined in I.6), the gold standard which has the strongest correlation with nicotine (and 
carcinogen) dose in laboratory studies.66 Blood will be used to measure nicotine metabolism genotype 
(CYP2A6 and related metabolites) and phenotype (the 3HC:cotinine ratio).62,63 Baseline urine will be used to 
assess total NNAL (free plus glucuronide) as a measure of carcinogen exposure.103,104 Height (Week 0) and 
weight (Week 0, 12, Month 6) will also be measured.   
J.6. Treatment Adherence. Early medication adherence will be biologically evaluated using Week 4 blood 
samples to assess varenicline levels. Medication adherence over the course of treatment will be assessed at 
Weeks 4, 8, and 12 by participant self-reported recollection of pill use for the prior 5 days (5-day recall); we 
found strong correlations between drug levels, in-person recall, and telephone pill counts105 and data support 


the validity of this approach.106,107 We will examine counseling adherence as number of counseling sessions 
completed to examine percentage of total sessions completed. 
J.7. Side effects.  We will assess side effects using an adapted version of a 26-item medication symptoms 
checklist108 at Weeks 0 (pre-drug), 1, 4, 8, and 12 to assess common symptoms (e.g., nausea, sleep 
disturbance, irritability) experienced in the past week, perception of the cause of each symptom (e.g., study 
medication versus other cause), and severity of the symptom (‘does not bother at all’ to ‘bothers a lot’).  We will 
use NCI’s Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) version 4.0 to assess individual adverse events at Weeks 1, 4, 8, 
and 12 (EOT) and Week 16 (30 days post EOT).  We will also assess any pressure a person feels to be in the 
study.  This will be tracked in order to monitor and report as an adverse event. 
 
 


K. Analytical plan.   
K.1. Sample size and power.  
Aim 1: The primary endpoint will be cotinine verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence at Month 6. Based 
on data from our varenicline pilot study of African American smokers, we expect overall abstinence of 24% at 
the end of treatment (Week 12) and 17% at Month 6 follow-up (Primary Outcome) for participants in the 
varenicline group. Based on placebo conditions from KIS trials, we anticipate abstinence of 10% at the end of 
treatment (Week 12) and 8% at Month 6 follow-up (Primary Outcome) for participants in the placebo group. 
Using the chi-square test, along with the assumptions above, 300 participants in the varenicline group and 200 
participants in the placebo group will give us 80% power to detect expected differences at Month 6 with a type 
1 error rate of 5%; we will also have 97% power to examine Week 12 abstinence.  
Analyses for all aims will be done in an intent to treat manner.  Those lost to follow-up will be imputed as 
smokers and all participants will remain in randomized group assignment regardless of adherence. If there is a 
significant difference in the loss between the two groups multiple imputation will be utilized.    
Aim 2: Given national estimates and prior KIS trials, we anticipate enrolling approximately 50-60% light 
smokers (1-10cpd). Using the assumptions described above, with the expectation that cessation rates will be 
similar for light smokers (1-10cpd) and heavier smokers (>10cpd), and assuming we have similar enrollment of 
light and heavier smokers (≈250 light smokers, ≈250 heavy smokers), we will be able to examine efficacy of 
varenicline versus placebo independently in light smokers (Aim 2a), and examine efficacy of varenicline versus 
placebo separately in moderate-heavy smokers (Aim 2b), with 76% power to detect expected differences 
between varenicline and placebo in each subgroup at Week 12 end of treatment. If we enroll more light than 
heavier smokers, we would maintain 65% power even if 60% of participants are light smokers.  
K.2. Baseline characteristics. Quantitative variables will be summarized by means and standard deviations 
globally and by treatment group. Categorical variables will be summarized by frequencies and percents 
globally and by treatment group.   
K.3. Evaluation of study aims.  
1. Primary Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of varenicline versus placebo for tobacco use treatment among 
African American smokers:  The chi-square test will be used to compare the 7-day point prevalence abstinence 
at Month 6 (primary outcome) between the two groups.  Then we will use multiple logistic regression to assess 
the effects of gender, age, baseline level of smoking, time to first cigarette, and type of tobacco, along with 
treatment on 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 months. These variables have consistently shown impact 
in our studies in African American smokers. 61,109  Subsequently, we will use identical methods for secondary 
outcome, Week 12 (end of treatment). We will also look at continuous and prolonged abstinence in a similar 
manner.   
In addition, we will longitudinally compare verified abstinence across 6 months between the treatment 
groups using generalized estimating equations (GEE), and will examine the measures defined above as 
additional covariates in the GEE model while controlling for treatment.  This allows us to have information at 
specific clinically relevant time points as well as over the entire course of study.    
Further, we expect treatment may impact certain psychological variables related to smoking and treatment 
response (withdrawal, craving, depression, and smoking reward, as described in J.4.) which are measured and 
scored at multiple time points during the medication phase of treatment.  For these measures we will compare 
them between the two treatment groups controlling for baseline level longitudinally, during the treatment phase, 
using a linear mixed model assuming an autoregressive correlation structure for these measures over time 
within an individual.   
Secondary aims: 
2. To examine the effects of varenicline independently in light smokers and independently in moderate to 
heavy smokers. Hypothesis 2a: Light smokers (1-10cpd) receiving varenicline will have higher verified 
abstinence than light smokers receiving placebo. Hypothesis 2b: Moderate to heavy smokers (>10cpd) 
receiving varenicline will have higher abstinence than moderate to heavy smokers receiving placebo, at end of 
treatment.   
We will utilize the same statistical methodologies on these a priori subsets as proposed for the full cohort 
as stated above (K.3.1).  These are two separate sets of analyses, conducted independently for each 
subgroup based upon smoking level at baseline.   
We do not hypothesize a significant difference in abstinence success rates between these groups, given 
limited data and given properties of varenicline which may make it well suited for light smokers as well as 
heavier smokers. The sample size of this study does not have the power to test for equivalence, assuming 
equal numbers of light and moderate to heavy smokers, we would have only 21% power to determine 


equivalence assuming a 3% equivalent level difference or 48% power to detect a 5% equivalent level 
difference. Instead, our intention is to aid clinical decision making in both light smokers (addressing whether 
varenicline demonstrates efficacy for light smokers) and in moderate to heavy smokers (addressing whether 
varenicline demonstrates efficacy for moderate to heavy smoker).  
In addition, within Aims 3 and 4 (below) we will evaluate further the relationship between smoking level 
(cpd as well as other related factors, e.g., cotinine, nicotine intake, nicotine metabolism, dependence) and 
treatment outcome (abstinence) controlling for treatment, in order to better understand risk and protective 
factors that influence treatment outcome. 
3. To examine the relationship between baseline intake of nicotine and smoking level, and in relation to 
carcinogen exposure and abstinence in African American smokers.  
3a.) To biochemically characterize exposure, we will examine the relationship among baseline nicotine intake 
(total nicotine equivalents, TNE), cotinine, nicotine metabolism ratio (3HC/cotinine), smoking level (cpd), and 
carcinogen exposure (NNAL).  We will run a correlation analysis examining the pairwise correlations between 
each of these variables.  We will also compare NNAL and nicotine intake at baseline between those defined as 
light and heavy smokers using a two-sample t-test.     
3b.) To examine impact on treatment outcome, we will examine the relationship among baseline nicotine intake 
(total nicotine equivalents), cotinine, nicotine metabolism ratio (3HC:cotinine), and smoking level (cpd) by 
examining the correlation between these variables. Subsequently, we will examine these as predictors of end 
of treatment abstinence, controlling for treatment and demographic factors found associated with cessation 
from the primary aim.  
4. To describe psychological, smoking, and treatment-related characteristics of African American smokers and 
evaluate these in association with abstinence: We will assess psychological (withdrawal, craving, reinforcing 
effects of smoking), smoking (nicotine intake (TNE), cpd, menthol), and treatment (side effects, medication and 
counseling adherence) factors independently. We will examine how these variables are associated with one 
another; a) two continuous variables will be examined by correlations, b) two categorical measure will be 
examine by chi-square tests and odds ratios, and c) one continuous and one categorical (dichotomous) will be 
examine by a t-test. We will also determine if these variables differ between treatment group. We will then 
evaluate these factors individually in their relationship to cessation and in a model to explore the association 
with end of treatment abstinence, controlling for treatment and any variables found in the previous aims.  Given 
the expected number of events, we expect to identify at most 7 other factors (which includes potential 
interactions of factors) beyond treatment that could impact cessation in a multiple logistic regression model.   
L. Limitations.  
Limits to generalizability exist related to inclusion/exclusion criteria, such that findings may not pertain to all 
African American smokers. However, our sample will largely reflect the group for whom varenicline would be 
most appropriate, i.e., medically eligible smokers interested in treatment. The study will be limited to a single 
site within a mid-western metropolitan area. We will use a broad, multi-method approach to recruitment 
providing a diverse sample from this Kansas City region. We expect the overall findings will be meaningful in 
respect to African American smokers across the U.S. Further, while findings may not be directly generalizable 
to other racial/ethnic groups, evaluation of efficacy of varenicline among light smokers in this study will inform 
clinical considerations that may impact treatment of the growing number of light smokers of other racial/ethnic 
groups. At the end of the study, we expect to see significant differences in abstinence rates between treatment 
groups, demonstrating the efficacy of varenicline for treatment of African American smokers. However, if we do 
not see a significant drug effect for the whole spectrum of African American smokers in our sample (Aim 1), we 
will still be able to examine subsets of smokers for whom varenicline is effective (Aims 2a and 2b) and to 
identify individual factors related to treatment efficacy (Aims 3 and 4) in order to advance the state of science 
on individualized tobacco use treatment.