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Cytisine for Smoking Cessation Within a Lung Cancer Screening Program: Results From the Italian RISP Trial.
Massimiliano Cani1, Daniela Bafunno2, Francesca Caumo3
1Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy.
Summary
Cytisine significantly increases smoking cessation rates in lung cancer screening participants compared to counseling alone. This study confirms cytisine
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lung cancer (LC) screening programs should offer tobacco cessation support to active smokers.
- Cytisine is an effective and safe smoking cessation pharmacotherapy, but data in older adults (≥65 years) are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of cytisine as a smoking cessation aid within an Italian lung cancer screening program.
- To assess cytisine's efficacy and safety in participants aged 65 years and older.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study enrolled participants with active tobacco use in the RISP LC screening trial.
- Participants were offered a smoking cessation program with optional cytisine treatment.
- Smoking abstinence was assessed post-treatment; secondary outcomes included cigarette consumption reduction and cytisine safety.
Main Results:
- The smoking cessation rate was 50.1% with cytisine versus 8.1% with counseling alone (adjusted odds ratio: 14.53).
- Cytisine users showed a greater reduction in cigarette consumption (23.4% vs. 10.0%).
- Efficacy and toxicity were similar in participants ≥65 years; nausea, insomnia, and abdominal discomfort were the most frequent adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Cytisine is effective and safe for smoking cessation in lung cancer screening participants.
- Findings support cytisine's use, including in older adults (≥65 years), within LC screening programs.