Low participation of minority and underserved participants in clinical cancer research detrimentally increases cancer disparities. Kolawole Okuyemi, M.D., M.P.H., is focusing tobacco cessation research primarily among underserved populations in order to close that gap.

Despite smoking fewer cigarettes per day than Caucasians, African Americans are less successful at quitting smoking. In the first study of its kind, Okuyemi is studying the reasons behind low smoking cessation success rates among African Americans. Since 80 percent of African American smokers smoke menthol cigarettes compared to 20 percent for other groups, Okuyemi is investigating the different effects of menthol and non-menthol cigarettes on the metabolism of the smoking cessation drug Zyban. His hypothesis is that menthol in cigarettes affects the metabolism of Zyban and thereby makes the drug less effective. If this hypothesis is confirmed, Zyban may not be the best treatment for those who smoke menthol cigarettes.

Okuyemi is also starting a pioneering smoking cessation study among homeless people. Working with area homeless shelters, Okuyemi will study success of the new smoking cessation drug, Chantix, plus motivational counseling with homeless smokers.

"Seventy percent of homeless people smoke, but we don't know how to help them quit," says Okuyemi. "The homeless shelters are welcoming our working together on this project to find out."

This story was originally published in the Masonic Cancer Center 2008 Annual Report.