Using data from both the UW-TTURC trial and the varenicline smoking cessation trial by Pfizer (Gonzales et al., 2006; Jorenby et al., 2006), we can examine the effects of CHRNA5 and the two most effective cessation pharmacotherapies (varenicline and cNRT) on smoking abstinence. These two studies differ in type of participants, medication comparator, study duration, and design. However, complementary analyses can be developed for these two research designs. Our primary aim was to obtain and compare evidence on how the genetic effect of CHRNA5 predicts smoking abstinence when subjects receive different treatments.
