Management of Tobacco Treatment Intervention in Reducing Surgical Complications in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer

This randomized phase III trial studies how well management of a tobacco treatment intervention works in reducing surgical complications in patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer who smoke cigarettes. Management of a tobacco treatment intervention compares varenicline (a drug that reduces the craving and withdrawal symptoms that occur with abstinence from nicotine) and behavioral interventions (consisting of a brief clinician-delivered intervention and tobacco quitline [tobacco cessation service available through a toll-free telephone number] follow-up) with placebo (a pill with no active medication) along with similar behavioral interventions. It is not yet known whether management of a tobacco treatment intervention is more effective in reducing surgical complications than placebo.

In order to participate you must meet the following criteria:

• Eligible patients will have a new diagnosis of lung cancer and have sought a surgical consult relating to this diagnosis
• Surgery must be scheduled no sooner than 10 days after randomization and no more than twelve weeks after randomization
• Have smoked daily or nearly every day in the previous 6 months up to the date of surgical consult AND have smoked at least one puff in the previous 7 days
• Motivated to stop smoking, as indicated by a score of 6 or above on the Contemplation Ladder
• Within the 30 days before registration, no use of: 1) any pharmacologic treatment for smoking cessation, including bupropion or nicotine replacement therapy; 2) any nicotine delivery system (i.e., e-cigarettes and vape products); or 3) be enrolled in any formal behavioral treatment program for tobacco dependence as determined by patient report
• No allergies to and not currently using varenicline
• No suicidal thoughts as indicated by a positive (1+) response to the PHQ9
• No active untreated clinically significant psychiatric condition (psychosis, bipolar disorder, or depression)
• Negative pregnancy test (serum or urine) done =< 7 days prior to registration, for women of childbearing potential only
  * A female of childbearing potential is a sexually mature female who: 1) has not undergone a hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy; or 2) has not been naturally postmenopausal for at least 12 consecutive months (i.e., has had menses at any time in the preceding 12 consecutive months)
• No unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or coronary angioplasty within the past 3 months or an untreated cardiac dysrhythmia
• No history of seizures
• No unstable neurologic, hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, lymphatic, or metabolic disease
• Not currently on renal dialysis or has a history of significant renal impairment
• No recent history (=< 90 days) of substance abuse (outside of tobacco) defined by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as:
  • If male, drinking > 14 alcoholic beverages per week for past 1 month
  • If female, drinking > 7 alcoholic beverages per week for past 1 month
  • Use of cocaine, heroin, club drugs (i.e., 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)/"ecstasy"), methamphetamine, or hallucinogens (e.g., lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD]) at any time during the past 1 month
  • Use of marijuana on a weekly basis for the past 1 month
• Patients must be able to complete study questionnaires in English
• No other household member or relative participating in the study
• No known history of any condition or factor judged by the investigator to preclude participation in the study or which might hinder study adherence
• Calculated creatinine clearance >= 30 mL/min * For females, use 85% of calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) value

This is a partial list of eligibility requirements. To inquire about your eligibility, please call the contact number provided. If you wish to inquire via email, please include the title of the study in your message.