An interventional study of Cigarette Type Switching in Cigarette Smoking and Inflammatory Response, sponsored by Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 21 Years to 85 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-16.
Sponsored by Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
This study will focus on examining the potential impact of menthol flavoring in cigarettes on biomarkers of systemic inflammation as a subclinical indicator of cardiovascular disease risk.
The goal of this study is to examine how switching from menthol (MC) to non-menthol (NMC) cigarette smoking may impact biomarkers of systemic inflammation, smoking behavior, and subjective responses related to smoking. MC smokers (N=68) will be recruited for a five-week study, with one-week of baseline of MC smoking (Phase 1), followed by four weeks of switching to study-provided, brand-matched NMCs (Phase 2). Biomarkers of systemic inflammation and tobacco exposure will be analyzed from blood samples before, during, and after switching for four weeks (baseline, week 1, week 3, and week 5). Ecological momentary assessment methods will also be gathered to measure patterns of smoking and smoking-related subjective responses (affect, craving).
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be switched from smoking menthol cigarettes to non-menthol cigarettes
Other: Cigarette Type Switching
Participants will be switched from smoking menthol cigarettes to non-menthol cigarettes for a period of four weeks
high sensitivity C-reactive protein
from serum in mg/dL
Time frame: 4 weeks
Fibrinogen
from serum in mg/dL
Time frame: 4 weeks
Cytokine Panel 13
from serum in mg/dL
Time frame: 4 weeks
Blood pressure
systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, in mm Hg
Time frame: 4 weeks
Heart rate
beats per minute
Time frame: 4 weeks
Affect
Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Urge to smoke
Questionnaire on Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Nicotine Dependence
Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Number of cigarettes smoked
Self-reported total number of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes smoked per day
Time frame: 4 weeks
CO level
in ppm
Time frame: 4 weeks
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
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Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science