Dr. Jitesh Chawla reviews smoking cessation trials

Dr. Jitesh Chawla's clinical trial research shows that the first anti-nicotine vaccine to enter Phase 3 clinical trial, NicVax, was in it’s the last stage of testing before hitting the market. The product works by inciting the immune system to produce antibodies that bind to nicotine in the bloodstream, much as antibodies would attack an invading microorganism. Once bound, the nicotine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier to enter the brain. It is the neurotransmitters in the brain that cause chemical reactions leading to addictive behavior. The vaccine was therefore expected to diminish the pleasure of smoking and make it easier to quit. Unfortunately, the failure of the vaccine serves as major set-back to harness the immune system’s power to fight additions such as tobacco abuse.

Figure 1.
Trial paper posting by Dr. Chawla

Nevertheless, Micro-electric  current therapy shows a lot of promise. In one trial studied by Dr. Jitesh Chawla, 1,000 cigarette smokers treated between July 2006 and January 2008, 972 (97.2%) lost their craving for cigarettes within 1 to 5 minutes into a 20 minute session of CES. In those who were in the process of quitting and often at the height of their withdrawal symptoms, cravings started to diminish within 2 minutes of initiating CES and usually disappeared within 10 minutes. Several were 2 or 3 weeks into quitting and still experienced craving.

There may be many reasons for the difference between success and failure including the solidity of the product, trial design, lack of capital, tough FDA reviewers but clinical trials. Even after successful trials and FDA approval some smoking cessation products, like the Nicotrol Inhaler, are not adopted well, as the side-effects and limited efficacy with mediocre outcomes serves as a stumbling block. It is time to try something new. Micro-electrical current therapy has a different mechanism of action than any other therapeutic agent for smoking cessation, currently in the market, and is worth a shot. Next time you are searching for a new doctor make sure he or she keeps up with latest research regarding medical treatments for important common problems such as nicotine addition.

Also, keep following this blog for more exciting clinical trial news from Dr. Jitesh Chawla.