Efficacy and safety of esketamine for smoking cessation among patients diagnosed with lung cancer and major depression disorder: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Journal of affective disorders August 15, 2025 Xinya Hong, Sen Xu, Gaozhong Sun et al. 3 citations
Eight sessions of intranasal esketamine, given weekly, helped patients with lung cancer and major depression quit smoking. Self-reported continuous abstinence at six months was 44.1% in the esketamine group, and biologically verified abstinence was 28.8%. Depression and anxiety severity also improved, along with cognitive function, nicotine dependence, urge to smoke, and respiratory symptoms. No serious adverse events occurred. The trial indicates esketamine is a safe and effective aid for smoking cessation in this population.