Selected ongoing clinical trials (*).

* FIELD STUDY OF SMOKING CESSATION IN ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT.

Computerized self-monitoring techniques are used to examine alcohol and nicotine dependence and to determine the extent to which smoking serves as a cue for alcohol craving and/or as a response to alcohol craving in treated alcoholics. This treatment, randomized, open label, efficacy study is in Phase IV. Men and women aged 21 years and older who are seeking treatment for both alcohol and nicotine dependence are eligible. They must have met criteria for alcohol and nicotine dependence for at least the past 3 months.

Contact: Ned Cooney, MD, Substance Abuse Treatment Center, VA Medical Center, West Haven, CT 06516. [phone].

* ULTRASOUND AND MOTIVATIONAL ENHANCEMENT FOR PRENATAL SMOKING CESSATION.

Testing the efficacy of motivational enhancement therapy combined with biologic feedback in low-income pregnant women who smoke is the purpose of this randomized, clinical trial. Healthy pregnant, smoking females who are 16 years and older and at 15-28 weeks' gestation are eligible.

Contact: Janey Y. Groff, MD, PhD, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX 77030. [phone].

* COMBINATIONS OF PHARMACOLOGIC SMOKING CESSATION TREATMENTS.

The combination of bupropion and mecamylamine with a nicotine patch is tested for smoking cessation effectiveness in this nonrandomized, open label, uncontrolled study currently in Phase I. Eligibility requirements: healthy men and women aged 20 to 40 years who have smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day for at least 2 years and who wish to stop smoking.

Contact: Richard E. Olmstead, PhD, VA Greater LA Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073. [phone] ext. 44300. E-mail: [e-mail].

* BUPROPION AND WEIGHT CONTROL FOR SMOKING CESSATION.

This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial is designed to see if bupropion (Zyban) used along with cognitive behavior therapy enhances longer-term smoking abstinence. Twelve sessions are held in 14 weeks, in addition to 6 booster sessions, and they will include 450 weight-concerned women smokers. Motivated females 18-65 years of age who smoke at least 20 cigarettes per day are eligible.

Contact: Michele Levine, 3811 O'Hara St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. [phone]. E-E-E-mail: [e-mail].

* RANDOMIZED STUDY OF BRIEF PHYSICIAN-INITIATED SMOKING CESSATION STRATEGIES VERSUS USUAL CARE IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY STAGE CANCER WHO ARE UNDERGOING TREATMENT IN CLINICAL ONGOING SETTINGS.

Physician-initiated smoking cessation programs and usual early-stage cancer treatments are compared in this randomized, supportive care study. Cessation therapy includes the National Cancer Institute's 4-step intervention plan, counseling, self-help materials, and nicotine replacement. Men and non-pregnant women smokers aged 19 years and older with different types of cancer are eligible.

Contact: Louis M. Weiner, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111. [phone].

* COMBINED PHARMACOLOGIC/BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT FOR SMOKING CESSATION.

This Phase II randomized, double-blind, active control, efficacy study attempts to determine if nicotine/mecamylamine therapy and switching cigarette brands will reduce craving and help to lengthen smoking abstinence. Eligibility requirements: healthy males and females aged 18 to 65 years who wish to quit smoking; must not have cardiac disease, skin allergy, glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, kidney disease or be hypotensive, hypertensive, pregnant, or drug/alcohol abuser.

Contact: Jed E. Rose, PhD, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705. [phone].

* FLUOXETINE AS A QUIT SMOKING AID FOR DEPRESSION-PRONE SMOKERS.

The antidepressant fluoxetine is tested with behavioral cessation treatment to see if it improves a depression-prone smoker's ability to stop smoking. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-control, factorial assignment, efficacy study is in Phase II and follows smokers for 4 years. Male and female smokers aged 18-65 years who have smoked at least 10 cigarettes a day for a year are eligible. Those who have had at least one episode of major depressive disorder and those who do not have a history of depression are eligible.

Contact: Bonnie J. Spring, PhD, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL 60141. [phone] or 7866. E-mail: [e-mail].

* TIMING OF SMOKING INTERVENTION IN ALCOHOL TREATMENT.

This Phase IV randomized, open label, efficacy study examines smoking intervention, specifically the timing and effect on alcohol treatment, in individuals undergoing alcohol dependence treatment. A nicotine replacement patch is used. Men and women aged 21 to 75 years who meet the specified criteria relating to alcohol use/treatment, drug dependence, smoking, and other areas are eligible.

Contact: Anne Joseph, MD, General Internal Medicine, VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417. [phone].

* MOOD MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENT SMOKERS.

Eight weekly group sessions and four follow-up sessions are planned for this randomized, two-group Phase IV study evaluating the effectiveness of mood management on abstaining alcoholic smokers with depression. Intervention includes a nicotine replacement patch. A secondary goal of the study is determining smoking intervention effect on alcohol abstinence. Men and women aged 18 years and above who have smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day for a month and who meet other drug/health criteria are eligible.

Contact: Christi Patten, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905. [phone].

(*.) Prepared by Esther L. Smith.