Electronic cigarette use in lung cancer patients

Ohio State University, Columbus OH

Investigators

Abstract

TITLE: Electronic Cigarette Use in Head, Neck, and Lung Cancer Patients PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The overall goal of this proposal is to facilitate Dr. Theodore Brasky’s development into an established and independent investigator for tobacco control. For this research, he will focus on cancer patients and the impact of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) on cigarette smoking, quitting, and health outcomes. It is established that cigarette smoking adversely affects the cancer patient in many ways. E-cigs have the potential to reduce cigarette smoke exposures, related toxicities, and foster smoking cessation. However, almost no research exists to substantiate this hypothesis. Dr. Brasky is a cancer epidemiologist and member of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) with considerable expertise in the analysis and interpretation of longitudinal data. Due to a strong institutional environment, he has been participating in various tobacco-focused research projects over the past several years. Excited by this, he wants to take advantage of the extraordinary opportunities in tobacco control related to e-cigs. The proposed training plan will enable him to obtain expertise and experience in tobacco research (e.g., coursework in tobacco regulatory science), intervention studies (e.g., coursework in clinical research methods and translational behavioral research), and primary data collection in complementary studies. This training will capitalize on the exceptional institutional environment at OSU and an experienced mentor in tobacco control in Dr. Peter Shields, Deputy Director of the OSUCCC. Herein, Dr. Brasky will address critical research gaps that will aid in the understanding for the impact of e-cigs on the cancer patient generally, and specifically for the creation of sound policy decisions by the Food and Drug Administration. This proposal requests a funded extension to complete Dr. Brasky’s research goals due to significant COVID-19 related interruptions. The Specific Aims are to: 1) analyze an observational cohort of 184 head, neck, and lung cancer patients and examine the associations of e-cigs with smoking reduction, smoking cessation, quality of life, and treatment toxicities; and, 2) Evaluate feasibility, acceptability, compliance, and safety of a pilot patient-choice trial of a pod-based e-cig versus standard of care in 40 head, neck, and lung cancer patients planning to undergo surgical resection. These complementary studies will be among the first to examine associations in patients with tobacco-related cancers and will share assessment measures. Results from this research will yield critical data in order to provide sound and evidence-based decisions on e-cigs.