Maher A. Karam Hage, M.D.
Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
About Dr. Karam-Hage
My interest in addiction is focused on the specific areas of tobacco, alcohol, and comorbid disorders. I started my career by designing, getting funded, and successfully completing my own study on bupropion for alcohol-dependent smokers. In the last 24 years, I have collaborated on more than 25 NIH-funded clinical trials as a co-investigator and study physician, and I participated in several pharmaceutical and investigator initiated multi-site trials. I am an expert in evidence-based treatments for tobacco, alcohol, and opioid use disorders and an experienced medical educator in psychiatry and addiction. I have a keen interest in medical education and have designed and conducted several studies to enhance medical education on substance use disorders. Throughout the years, I have mentored several trainees in different capacities and from different disciplines. As the Medical Director of the Tobacco Treatment Program at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, I continue to practice general and addiction psychiatry and exercising my clinical skills, I derive my professional satisfaction from helping people recover from the grip of addiction, in particular smokers or tobacco users attempting to quit. In addition, I find clinical practice to be a unique and fertile ground to generate interesting and relevant clinical research questions: It is the ultimate venue for true translational research. I have collaborated with Drs. Robinson, Versace, Kypriotakis, and Cinciripini in my department for the last 18 years on several trials focused on improving the outcomes of treating smoking. We have published results on the effectiveness of our clinical program and several research studies, including previous neuroimaging studies to develop an innovative tailored approach to reduce vulnerability to nicotine self-administration. We are currently aiming to personalize the treatment by using genetic markers, as we conduct a major trial across Texas to recruit 2000 smokers; any smoker living in Texas can participate by going to www.nicotinestudy.org and answer few screening questions. We also aim to personalize treatment of repetitive Trans Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) using the neuro-affective and neurocognitive biomarkers as the necessary preliminary step to successfully develop more effective, personalized noninvasive neuro-modulatory interventions for Substance Use Disorders.
In the News
What's the best way to quit smoking?
What does drinking alcohol do to your body?
Quit smoking: 6 products to strike out nicotine cravings
What happens to your lungs from smoking? 3 things to know
Don’t let COVID-19 stress stop you from quitting smoking
Tobacco Treatment Program helps cancer patients quit smoking
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor (Joint Appointment), Department of Psychiatry, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Adjunct, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Psychopharmacology of addictive disorders in particular nicotine and tobacco use disorder
Clinical Interests
Addiction Psychiatry and interface between psychiatric disorders and addictive disorders
Psychopharmacology for treatment of tobacco use disorder
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1993 | Facultad de Medicina at Universidad Francisco Marroquin (UFM), Guatemala City, GTM, MD, Medico y Cirujano (Doctor and Surgeon) |
| 1989 | Facultad de Medicina at Universidad Francisco Marroquin (UFM), Guatemala City, GTM, BS, Bachalareus Sciencia |
Postgraduate Training
| 1999-2000 | Research Fellowship, Clinical Psychopharmacology, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI |
| 1998-1999 | Clinical Fellowship, Addiction Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI |
| 1994-1998 | Clinical Residency, General Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI |
Board Certifications
| 2014 | American Board of Medical Quality |
| 2003 | American Society of Addiction Medicine |
| 2002 | ABPN added qualification in Addiction Psychiatry |
| 1999 | American Boards of Psychiatry & Neurology (ABPN) |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Adjunct, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2015
Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2015
Associate Professor (Joint Appointment), Department of Psychiatry, Division of OVP, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2015
Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2008
Assistant Professor (joint appointment), Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2008
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Substance Abuse, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 2000 - 2006
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Committee Chair, Department of Practitioner Peer Assistance Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - Present
Medical Director, Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, HOUSTON, TX, 2018 - Present
Patient Safety and Quality Officer, Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, HOUSTON, TX, 2017 - Present
Director of Medication Development and Testing, Department of Nicotine Research Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 2004 - 2006
Medical Director, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 2000 - 2006
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Psycho-Oncology Faculty Search Committee, 2016 - Present
Member, Practitioner Peer Assistance Committee, 2016 - 2019
Officer, Department of Behavioral Science, EHR Implementation (EPIC), 2014 - 2017
Cancer Prevention Division Representative, Physician Referral Service (PRS) Executive Council, 2013 - 2019
Reviewer, Faculty Awards for Clinical Research, Faculty Awards Committee, 2013 - 2013
Re-elected Senator for Behavioral Science, MD Anderson Cancer Center Faculty Senate, 2013 - 2016
Member, Physician Referral Service (PRS) Budget Committee, 2013 - 2017
Member, Faculty Health and wellbeing Committee, 2012 - 2014
Senator for Behavioral Science, MD Anderson Cancer Center Faculty Senate, 2010 - 2013
Member, General Psychiatry Residency Evaluation and Selection Committee, 2000 - 2006
Member, House Officers' Association Web-Page, University of Michigan, 2000 - 2001
Faculty Member, Residency Training Committee - University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, 2000 - 2006
Resident Member, Residency Training Committee, 1996 - 1997
Consultantships
Consultant, Baylor college of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 2018 - Present
Consultant, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, Texas, 2018 - Present
Member of committee ASAM's position on e-cigarettes, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Houston, 2017 - 2017
Honors & Awards
| 2017 | Faculty Excellence Award in financial stewardship, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, President |
| 2016 | Julie and Ben Rogers Clinical Excellence Award 2016, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | Faculty Leadership Academy, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2011 | Fellow status of American Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association |
| 2004 | Junior Investigator Colloquium Award, American Psychiatric Association meeting (New York) |
| 2002 | Selected for the Medical Education Scholars Program, University of Michigan Medical School |
| 2000 | Junior Investigator Colloquium Award, American Psychiatric Association meeting (Chicago) |
| 1999 | Honorable mention & travel award addiction research, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) annual meeting |
| 1998 | HO-IV education curriculum & teaching award, Dept. Psychiatry, U. of Michigan |
| 1998 | Awarded 1-year research fellowship, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology |
| 1994 | Romeo De Leon Award for medical school graduation thesis, Facultad de medicina, UFM |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Bayley EM, Zhou N, Mitchell KG, Antonoff MB, Mehran RJ, Rice DC, Sepesi B, Swisher SG, Vaporciyan AA, Walsh GL, Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M, Roth JA, Hofstetter WL. Modern Perioperative Practices May Mitigate Effects of Continued Smoking Among Lung Cancer Patients. Ann Thorac Surg 114(1):286-292, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34358522.
- Robinson JD, Karam-Hage M, Kypriotakis G, Beneventi D, Blalock JA, Cui Y, Gonzalez R, Tayar J, Chaftari P, Cinciripini PM. Bupropion XL and SR have similar effectiveness and adverse event profiles when used to treat smoking among patients at a comprehensive cancer center. Am J Addict 31(3):236-241, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35347796.
- Cinciripini PM, Kypriotakis G, Green C, Lawrence D, Anthenelli RM, Minnix J, Blalock JA, Beneventi D, Morris C, Karam-Hage M. The effects of varenicline, bupropion, nicotine patch, and placebo on smoking cessation among smokers with major depression: A randomized clinical trial. Depress Anxiety 39(5):1-12, 2022. PMID: 35535436.
- Robinson JD, Cui Y, Karam-Hage M, Kypriotakis G, Versace F, Ait-Daoud Tiouririne N, Anthenelli RM, Cinciripini PM. Topiramate decreases the salience of motivationally relevant visual cues among smokers with alcohol use disorder. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 46(3):384-395, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35037278.
- Singareeka Raghavendra A, Kypriotakis G, Karam-Hage M, Kim S, Jizzini M, Seoudy KS, Robinson JD, Barcenas CH, Cinciripini PM, Tripathy D, Ibrahim NK. The Impact of Treatment for Smoking on Breast Cancer Patients' Survival. Cancers (Basel) 14(6), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35326615.
- Sheffer CE, Al-Zalabani A, Aubrey A, Bader R, Beltrez C, Bennett S, Carl E, Cranos C, Darville A, Greyber J, Karam-Hage M, Hawari F, Hutcheson T, Hynes V, Kotsen C, Leone F, McConaha J, McCary H, Meade C, Messick C, Morgan SK, Morris CW, Payne T, Retzlaff J, Santis W, Short E, Shumaker T, Steinberg M, Wendling A. The Emerging Global Tobacco Treatment Workforce: Characteristics of Tobacco Treatment Specialists Trained in Council-Accredited Training Programs from 2017 to 2019. Int J Environ Res Public Health 18(5), 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33801227.
- Cui Y, Linares Abrego P, Yoon JH, Karam-Hage M, Cinciripini PM, Ait-Daoud Tiouririne N, Anthenelli RM, Robinson JD. Behavioral Economic Assessment of Alcohol and Cigarette Demand in Smokers With Alcohol Use Disorder. Front Psychiatry 12:674607, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34248711.
- Peterson SK, Basen-Engquist K, Demark-Wahnefried W, Prokhorov AV, Shinn EH, Martch SL, Beadle BM, Garden AS, Farcas E, Brandon Gunn G, Fuller CD, Morrison WH, Rosenthal DI, Phan J, Eng C, Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage MA, Camero Garcia M, Patrick K. Feasibility of Mobile and Sensor Technology for Remote Monitoring in Cancer Care and Prevention. AMIA Annu Symp Proc 2021:979-988, 2021. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35308916.
- Day AT, Dahlstrom KR, Lee R, Karam-Hage M, Sturgis EM. Impact of a Tobacco Treatment Program on Abstinence and Survival Rates Among Current Smokers with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Head Neck 42(9):2440-2452, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32476217.
- Frank DW, Cinciripini PM, Deweese MM, Karam-Hage M, Kypriotakis G, Lerman C, Robinson JD, Tyndale RF, Vidrine DJ, Versace F. Toward Precision Medicine for Smoking Cessation: Developing a Neuroimaging-Based Classification Algorithm to Identify Smokers at Higher Risk for Relapse. Nicotine Tob Res 21(11):1277-1284, 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31724052.
- Rojewski AM, Bailey SR, Bernstein SL, Cooperman NA, Gritz ER, Karam-Hage MA, Piper ME, Rigotti NA, Warren GW. Considering Systemic Barriers to Treating Tobacco Use in Clinical Settings in the United States. Nicotine Tob Res 21(11):1453-1461, 2019. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 29917118.
- Karam-Hage M. Smoke-free, but dependent on nicotine: comment on Jackson et al. (2019). Addiction 114(10):1887, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31321838.
- Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M, Kypriotakis G, Robinson JD, Rabius V, Beneventi D, Minnix JA, Blalock JA. Association of a Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Program With Smoking Abstinence Among Patients with Cancer. JAMA Netw Open 2(9):e1912251, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31560387.
- Day AT, Tang L, Karam-Hage M, Fakhry C. Tobacco treatment programs at National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers: a systematic review and online audit. Am J Clin Oncol 42(4):407-410, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30724778.
- Stevens EM, Frank D, Codispoti M, Kypriotakis G, Cinciripini PM, Claiborne K, Deweese MM, Engelmann JM, Green CE, Karam-Hage M, Minnix JA, Ng J, Robinson JD, Tyndale RF, Vidrine DJ, Versace F. The late positive potentials evoked by cigarette-related and emotional images show no gender differences in smokers. Sci Rep 9(1):3240, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30824792.
- Versace F, Stevens EM, Robinson JD, Cui Y, Deweese MM, Engelmann JM, Green CE, Karam-Hage M, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Brain responses to cigarette-related and emotional images in smokers during smoking cessation: No effect of Varenicline or Bupropion on the late positive potential. Nicotine Tob Res 21(2):234-240, 2019. PMID: 29220524.
- Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM. The importance of incorporating smoking cessation into lung cancer screening. Transl Lung Cancer Res 7(3):272-280, 2018. PMID: 30050765.
- Cinciripini PM, Minnix JA, Green CE, Robinson JD, Engelmann JM, Versace F, Wetter DW, Shete S, Karam-Hage M. An RCT with the Combination of Varenicline and Bupropion for Smoking Cessation: Clinical Implications for Front Line Use. Addiction, 2018. PMID: 29679432.
- Karam-Hage M, Kypriotakis G, Robinson JD, Green CE, Mann G, Rabius V, Wippold R, Blalock JA, Mouhayar E, Tayar J, Chaftari P, Cinciripini PM. Improvement of Smoking Abstinence Rates with increased Varenicline Dosage: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 38(1):34-41, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29232312.
- Robinson JD, Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M, Aubin HJ, Dale LC, Niaura R, Anthenelli RM, STRATUS Group. Pooled analysis of three randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials with rimonabant for smoking cessation. Addict Biol 23(1):291-303, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28429843.
- Cui Y, Engelmann JF, Xian J, Minnix JA, Lam CY, Karam-Hage M, Cinciripini PM, Robinson JD. Pharmacological intervention and abstinence in smokers undergoing cessation treatment: A psychophysiological study. International Journal of Psychophysiology 123:25-34, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29223599.
- Versace F, Stevens EM, Robinson JD, Cui Y, Deweese MM, Engelmann JM, Green CE, Karam-Hage M, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Brain Responses to Cigarette-Related and Emotional Images in Smokers During Smoking Cessation: No Effect of Varenicline or Bupropion on the Late Positive Potential. Nicotine Tob Res. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29220524.
- Robinson JD, Kypriotakis G, Karam-Hage M, Green CE, Hatsukami DK, Cinciripini PM, Donny EC. Cigarette nicotine content as a moderator of the relationship between negative affect and smoking. Nicotine Tob Res 19(9):1080-1086, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28371900.
- Versace F, Engelmann JM, Deweese MM, Robinson JD, Green CE, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Wetter DW, Schembre SM, Cinciripini PM. Beyond Cue Reactivity: Non-Drug-Related Motivationally Relevant Stimuli Are Necessary to Understand Reactivity to Drug-Related Cues. Nicotine Tob Res 19(6):663-669, 2017. PMID: 28486715.
- Cinciripini PM, Green CE, Robinson JD, Karam-Hage M, Engelmann JM, Minnix JA, Wetter DW, Versace F. Benefits of varenicline vs. bupropion for smoking cessation: A Bayesian Analysis of the interaction of reward sensitivity and treatment. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 234(11):1769-1779, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28275830.
- Karam-Hage M, Oughli HA, Rabius V, Beneventi D, Wippold RC, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM. Tobacco Cessation Treatment Pathways for Patients with Cancer: 10 Years in the Making. J Natl Compr Canc Netw 14(11):1469-1477, 2016. PMID: 27799514.
- Farris SG, Robinson JD, Zvolensky MJ, Hogan J, Rabius V, Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA. Panic attacks and smoking cessation among cancer patients receiving smoking cessation treatment. Addict Behav 61(61):32-39, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27235990.
- Cui Y, Robinson JD, Engelmann JM, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Wetter DW, Dani JA, Kosten TR, Cinciripini PM. Reinforcement Sensitivity Underlying Treatment-Seeking Smokers' Affect, Smoking Reinforcement Motives, and Affective Responses. Psychol Addict Behav 29(2):300-311, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25621416.
- Tyndale RF, Zhu Andy Z.X., George TP, Cinciripini P, Hawk Jr. LW, Schnoll RA, Swan GE, Benowitz NL, Heitjan DF, Lerman C, PGRN-PNAT Research Group (.....Karam-Hage M...). Lack of associations of CHRNA5-A3-B4 genetic variants with smoking cessation treatment outcomes in Caucasian smokers despite associations with baseline smoking. PLOS ONE 10(5):e0128109, 2015. PMID: 26010901.
- Wippold R, Karam-Hage M, Blalock J, Cinciripini P. Selection of optimal tobacco cessation medication treatment in cancer patients. Clin J Oncol Nurs 19(2):170-5, 2015. PMID: 25840382.
- Lerman C, Schnoll Robert A, Hawk LW Jr., Cinciripini P, George TP, Wileyto EP, Swan GE, Benowitz NI, Heitjan DF, Tyndale RF, PGRN-PNAT Research Group (...Karam-Hage, M..). Use of the nicotine metabolite ratio as a genetically informed biomarker of response to nicotine patch or varenicline for smoking cessation: A randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Respir Med 3(2):131-138, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25588294.
- Karam-Hage M, Ouyang F, Ghorayeb J, Mullan P, Brower K, Gruppen L. Stimulating and evaluating acquired knowledge of addiction among residents through repeat testing: a pilot study. Am J Addict 23(6):576-581, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25065389.
- Karam-Hage M, Cinciripini PM, Gritz ER. Tobacco use and cessation for cancer survivors: an overview for clinicians. CA Cancer J Clin 64(4):272-290, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24817674.
- Versace F, Engelmann JM, Robinson JD, Jackson EF, Green CE, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Brown VL, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Prequit fMRI responses to pleasant and cigarette cues predict smoking cessation outcome. Nicotine Tob Res 16(6):697-708, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24376278.
- Karam-Hage M, Robinson JD, Lodhi A, Brower KJ. Bupropion-SR for smoking reduction and cessation in Alcohol-dependent outpatients: A naturalistic, open-label study. Curr Clin Pharmacol 9(2):123-129, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24218993.
- Cinciripini PM, Robinson JD, Karam-Hage M, Minnix JA, Lam C, Versace F, Brown VL, Engelmann JM, Wetter DW. Effects of varenicline and bupropion sustained-release use plus intensive smoking cessation counseling on prolonged abstinence from smoking and on depression, negative affect and other symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. JAMA Psychiatry 70(5):522-533, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23536105.
- Cui Y, Versace F, Engelmann JM, Minnix JA, Robinson JD, Lam CY, Karam-Hage M, Brown VL, Wetter DW, Dani JA, Kosten TR, Cinciripini PM. Alpha oscillations in response to affective and cigarette-related stimuli in smokers. Nicotine Tob Res 15(5):917-24, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23060019.
- Karam-Hage M, Maher KH, Brower KJ, Mullan PB, Gay T, Gruppen LD. Web-streamed didactic instruction on substance use disorders compares favorably with live-lecture format. Acad Psychiatry 37(3):165-170, 2013. PMID: 23632924.
- Robinson JD, Versace F, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Engelmann JM, Cui Y, Karam-Hage M, Shete SS, Tomlinson GE, Chen TT, Wetter DW, Green CE, Cinciripini PM. The CHRNA3 rs578776 variant is associated with an intrinsic reward sensitivity deficit in smokers. Front Psychiatry 4(114):1-11, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24065931.
- Cui Y, Robinson JD, Versace F, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Dani JA, Kosten TR, Wetter DW, Brown VL, Cinciripini PM. Differential cigarette-related startle cue reactivity among light, moderate, and heavy smokers. Addict Behav 37(8):885-889, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22571920.
- Rennard S, Hughes J, Cinciripini P, Kralikova E, Raupach T, Arteaga C, Aubin L, Russ C, (The Flexible Quit Date Study Group...Karam-Hage...). A randomized placebo-controlled trial of varenicline for smoking cessation allowing flexible quit dates. Nicotine & tobacco Research 14(3):343-350, 2012. PMID: 22080588.
- Karam-Hage M, Strobbe S, Robinson JD, Brower KJ. Bupropion-SR for smoking cessation in early recovery from alcohol dependence: a placebo-controlled, double-blind pilot study. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 37(37):487-90, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21797811.
- Blalock JA, Lam C, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Gritz ER, Robinson JD and Cinciripini PM.. The effect of mood, anxiety and alcohol use disorders on smoking cessation in cancer patients. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy 25(1):82-96, 2011.
- Cinciripini PM, Blalock JA, Minnix JA, Robinson JD, Brown VL, Lam C, Wetter DW, Schreindorfer L, McCullough JP, Dolan-Mullen P, Stotts AL, Karam-Hage M. Effects of an intensive depression-focused intervention for smoking cessation in pregnancy. J Consult Clin Psychol 78(1):44-54, 2010. PMID: 20099949.
- Renner JA, Karam-Hage M, Levinson M, Craig T, Eld B. What do psychiatric residents think of addiction psychiatry as a career?. Acad Psychiatry 33(2):139-142, 2009. PMID: 19398628.
- Zevallos JP, Mallen MJ, Lam CY, Karam-Hage M, Blalock J, Wetter DW, Garden AS, Sturgis EM, Cinciripini PM. Complications of radiotherapy in laryngopharyngeal cancer: effects of a prospective smoking cessation program. Cancer 3(1):4636-44, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19569250.
- Brower KJ, Myra Kim H, Strobbe S, Karam-Hage MA, Consens F, Zucker RA. A randomized double-blind pilot trial of gabapentin versus placebo to treat alcohol dependence and comorbid insomnia. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 32(8):1429-38, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18540923.
- Karam-Hage M, Cinciripini PM. Pharmacotherapy for tobacco cessation: nicotine agonists, antagonists, and partial agonists. Curr Oncol Rep 9(6):509-16, 2007. PMID: 17991361.
- Spector A, Alpert H, Karam-Hage M. Smoking cessation delivered by medical students is helpful to homeless population. Acad Psychiatry 31(5):402-405, 2007. PMID: 17875625.
- Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Pomerleau OF, Brower KJ. Unaided smoking cessation among smokers in treatment for alcohol dependence. Addict Behav 30(6):1247-1253, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15925134.
- Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Open pilot study of gabapentin versus trazodone to treat insomnia in alcoholic outpatients. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 57(5):542-4, 2003. PMID: 12950711.
- Karam-Hage M, Nerenberg L, Brower KJ. Modifying residents' professional attitudes about substance abuse treatment and training. Am J Addict 10(1)(1):40-47, 2001. PMID: 11268827.
- Karam-Hage M, Riba MB, Huang MP. Are our patients' using the internet?. German Journal of Psychiatry 4:24-28, 2001.
- Karam-Hage M. Restriction of Sodium compared with restitution to premature newborns of very low birth weight. Guatemala Pediatrica 3(1):21-27, 1994.
Invited Articles
- Karam-Hage M, Minnix J, Cinciripini P. Alcohol and smoking cessation for cancer survivors. UpToDate, 2023.
- Karam-Hage, Maher. E-cigarettes and the Nicotine Epidemic. American Journal on Addictions 27:650-651, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30516335.
- Karam-Hage, Maher. Director Column: e-cigarettes and the JUUL Phenomenon. American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry Newsletter, 2018.
Editorials
- Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M. Study suggests varenicline safe and effective among adults with stable depression. Evid Based Med 19(3):92, 2014. PMID: 24482150.
- Rabius V, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM. Meaningful use” provides a meaningful opportunity". Cancer 120(4):464-468, 2014. PMID: 24496865.
Abstracts
- Stevens EM, Cinciripini PM, Claiborne K, Deweese MM, Engelmann JM , Green CE, Karam-Hage M, Lerman C, Minnix JA, Ng J, Robinson JD, Tyndale RF, Vidrine DJ, Versace F. SEX DIFFERENCES IN BRAIN RESPONSES TO CIGARETTE-RELATED AND EMOTIONAL VISUAL STIMULI IN SMOKERS. SRNT 2017 Poster Session, 2017.
- Kypriotakis G, Karam-Hage M. INCREASING VARENICLINE TO 3MG PER DAY IMPROVES SMOKING ABSTINENCE: A PROPENSITY SCORE ANALYSIS. SRNT 2017, 2017.
- Mann G, Karam-Hage M, Prokhorov AV, Basen-Engquist K, Demark-Wahnefried W, Patrick K, Martch SL, Farcas E, Baru C, Lin K, Yan Y, Nandigam V, Cinciripini P,Peterson SK. Feasibility of using mobile carbon monoxide monitors for remote assessment of cancer survivors after smoking cessation treatment, 2015.
- Rabius V, Robinson JD, Blalock JA, Karam-Hage M, Beneventi D, Cinciripini PM. A Multi-Layered Smoking Cessation Program for Cancer Patients: First Year Outcomes. CPRIT Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference, CPRIT, Austin, TX 2015, 2015.
- Peterson SK, Basen-Engquist K, Demark-Wahnefried W, Prokhorov AV, Shinn EH, Martch SL, Farcas E, Baru C, Krueger IH, Garden AS, Beadle BM, Eng C, Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage MA, Gunn GB, Fuller CD, Morrison WH, Rosenthal DI, Phan J, Patrick K. Feasibility of using home-based mobile sensors for remote patient monitoring in cancer care and prevention. J Clin Oncol 32(5s):suppl; abstr 9585, 2014.
- Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PMl. A comprehensive tobacco-cessation treatment for cancer patients: 12-month follow-up abstinence rates. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco SRNT - 2011 SRNT 17th Annual Meeting Proceedings:78, 2011.
- Rabius V, Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Lam CY. Effectiveness of smoking cessation assistance for cancer patients. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco SRNT Proceedings - 2011 SRNT 17th Annual Meeting:165, 2011.
- Karam-Hage M, Brower K, Mullan P, Gay T, Gruppen L. Web-streamed didactic instruction on substance abuse compares favorably with live lecture format. American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry 22nd Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2011.
- Karam-Hage M, Lam C, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM.. Increasing varenicline to 3 mgs/day improves abstinence rates: a preliminary efficacy report in cancer patients. Proceedings of SRNT Annual meeting, Baltimore, MD, 2010.
- Blalock JA, Robinson JD, Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M, Brown RA, McCullough JP. Nicotine withdrawal in chronically depressed smokers undergoing intensive smoking cessation treatment. 14th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health Conference, Mumbai, India, 2009.
- Miller LA, Karam-Hage M, Lal LS, Mallen M, Feng C, Blalock J, Cinciripini PM.. Economic evaluation of a tobacco cessation program at a major cancer center. 11th Annual European Congress, 2008.
- Mallen MJ, Zevallos JP. Lam CY, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Wetter DW, Garden AS, Sturgis EM, Cinciripini PM.. Smoking and recurrent disease in a head and neck cancer population receiving radiotherapy. 14th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland OR, 2008.
- Mallen MJ, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM.. A comprehensive tobacco-cessation treatment for cancer patients: preliminary outcome findings. 14th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco; Portland, OR, 2008.
- Karam-Hage M, Mallen MJ, Heater ML, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM. Does combining bupropion-SR and varenicline make a difference? a preliminary efficacy report in cancer patients. 4th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland OR, 2008.
- Blalock JA, Karam-Hage M, Mallen MJ, Cinciripini PM.. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in cancer patients receiving tobacco-cessation treatment. 14th Annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland OR, 2008.
- Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Pomerleau OF. Effects of smoking cues on craving for alcohol and cigarettes in drinkers who smoke. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Austin, TX:42, 2007.
- Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Pomerleau OF. Impact of DSM-IV lifetime alcohol use disorders, depression and the two combined on smoking-related variables. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
- Adams K, Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Pomerleau OF. Sex specific differences between smokers with and without DSM-IV alcohol abuse. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
- Pomerleau CS, Langenecker SA, Karam-Hage M, Snedecor SM. Psychiatric patients at intake: tobacco use profile and interest in quitting smoking. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
- Ninowski R, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Mehringer AM, Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau OF. Characteristics of early and late onset smokers. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Orlando, FL, 2006.
- Karam-Hage M, Mullan PB, Spector A, Alpert H. Medical students conduct smoking cessation counseling. Journal of Cancer Education 21(2)suppl:24, 2006.
- Karam-Hage M, Mullan P, Brower K, Gruppen L. Acquired knowledge of addiction among psychiatry residents by repeat testing. Proceedings of American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) 17th Annual Meeting:39, 2006.
- Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Pomerleau OF. Differential impact of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence on smoking. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Prague, Czech Republic, 2005.
- Ninowski R, Pomerleau CS, Snedecor SM, Mehringer AM, Karam-Hage M, Pomerleau OF. Differences in response to initial experimentation with smoking in never smokers based on family history of smoking and problem drinking. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Prague, Czech Republic, 2005.
- Karam-Hage M, Cynthia S. Pomerleau, Ovide F. Pomerleau, Kirk J. Brower:. Unaided smoking cessation at six-month follow-up in smokers in treatment for alcohol dependence. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Scottsdale, AZ, 2004.
- Pomerleau CS, Pomerleau OF, Snedecor SM, Karam-Hage M. Differences between smokers with and without a history of excessive alcohol use. Proceedings of the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Scottsdale, AZ, 2004.
- Brower KJ, Kim HM, Karam-Hage M, Zucker RA, Greden JF. A double-blind randomized clinical trial of gabapentin vs. placebo for treating alcohol dependence. Biol Psychiatry 53(8S):84S-85S, 2003.
- Karam-Hage M, Gruppen L, Frohna A, Closer M, and Brower KJ. Evaluating acquired knowledge of addiction among psychiatry residents by repeat testing. Proceedings of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, New Orleans, LA, 2003.
- Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Bupropion for smoking cessation/reduction among alcoholics during early recovery: open trial. Proceedings of Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) Annual Meeting Savannah, GA. February 2002 PO2-59:63, 2002.
- Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Bupropion Tx for smoking cessation alcoholics during early recovery. Proceedings of Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) PO3 70:84, 2001.
- Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Bupropion treatment for smoking alcoholics and expired CO. Alcoholism Clin Exp Res 25;(Suppl) 5:97A, 2001.
- Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ, Zucker RA, and Zubieta JC. Mu opioid receptor binding in alcohol dependent volunteers in early recovery: clinical correlates. Proceedings of American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). Kona, Hawaii, 2001, 2001.
- Cofer J, Hurst A, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Beneventi DM, Evans M, Wippold RC, Antwi A, Cinciripini PM. Linking an intensive training program to a subsequent weekly tele-mentoring session to increase and sustain healthcare providers’ knowledge in a behavioral health setting; Creating the Healthiest Nation: Health Equity Now. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo.
Book Chapters
- Karam-Hage M, Cinciripini PM. Tobacco cessation. In: Advances in Cancer Survivorship Management. First. UT, MD Anderson Cancer Center: Houston, Texas, 257-274, 2015.
- Karam-Hage M, Vance R, Cinciripini PM, Robinson JD, Gritz ER. Nicotine dependence: current treatments and future directions. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 5th. Elsevier: Philadelphia, 360-371, 2014.
- Karam-Hage M, Minnix JA, Cinciripini PM. Nicotine: clinical aspects of alcohol and drug addiction. In: Addiction medicine: science and practice. Springer Publishing: New York, NY, 417-443, 2010.
Letters to the Editor
- Karam-Hage M, Ghaziuddin N. Olanzapine in tourette's disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 39(2): 139, 2000.
- Karam-Hage M, Brower KJ. Gabapentin treatment for insomnia associated with alcohol dependence. Am J Psychiatry 157(1): 151, 2000.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Medical Scholars Education Program (MESP) |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Differentiation of phenotypes for smoking |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Bupropion-SR for smoking cessation among alcoholics during early recovery: A placebo-controlled, double-blind study |
| Funding Source: | University of Michigan Medical School Advisory Council on Clinical Research grant |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Effects of family smoking history in never-smokers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 2 oral doses of rimonabant, 5 mg/day and 20 mg/day, vs. placebo, as an aid to maintenance of smoking cessation – a multiple country, randomized, double-blind, 5 arm, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, fixed dose, 2-year, multi-center, Phase III trial; 1-year treatment, 1 year follow-up |
| Funding Source: | Sanofi-Synthelabo |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Multinational, Multicenter Double Blind Placebo Controlled Smoking Cessation Trial with Rimonabant a Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonist |
| Funding Source: | Sanofi-Synthelabo |
| Role: | Study Physician |
| Title: | Pharmacogenetics, Emotional Reactivity and Smoking Cessation: Genetic Differences in Limbic Activation Associated with Nicotine Withdrawal |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Pharmacogenetics, Emotional Reactivity and Smoking |
| Funding Source: | NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | A Mood Management Intervention for Pregnant Smokers |
| Funding Source: | NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Smoking Cessation Intervention for Depressed Smokers: Treatment Development |
| Funding Source: | NIMH |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Phase 4, prospective, multi-national, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate smoking cessation with varenicline tartrate compared with placebo in the setting of patient self-selected (flexible) quit date |
| Funding Source: | Pfizer |
| Role: | Principal Investigator-MDACC |
| Title: | Intensive Smoking Cessation Intervention for Head and Neck Cancer Patients |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Pharmacogenetics of nicotine addiction treatment |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | New pharmacotherapy for alcohol and co-morbid disorders |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Project 3 Leader: Concurrent vs. sequential smoking and physical activity intervention for cancer survivors |
| Funding Source: | MDACC -MRP |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluating New Nicotine Standards for Cigarettes-Project 1 |
| Funding Source: | University of Pittsburgh |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluating new Nicotine standards for cigarettes - Project 2 |
| Funding Source: | University of Minnesota |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Enhanced Smoking Cessation Program for University Students |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| Title: | Identifying topiramate's therapeutic mechanisms through motivational salience |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Integration of evidence-based tobacco treatments into primary care clinics |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Intrinsic Reward Sensitivity & Smoking Cessation with Varenicline or Patch NRT |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Effectiveness of Varenicline vs. Varenicline plus Bupropion for smoking cessation |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Integration of evidence-based tobacco treatments into primary health clinics |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | QuitBuddy: a mobile/social network therapy approach to relapse prevention |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | STAR, Lung Moonshot Initiative: Adult Cessation Moon Shot |
| Funding Source: | UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Lung Moonshot Initiative: Youth cessation moon shot |
| Funding Source: | UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluating concomitant use of very low nicotine content cigarettes and e-cigarettes among daily and non-daily smokers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Varenicline and Combined NRT for initial smoking cessation and rescue treatment in smokers: a randomized pilot trial |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluating concomitant use of very-low nicotine content cigarettes and E-cigarettes among daily and non-daily smokers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | The effects of celecoxib on cancer-related fatigue & inflammatory processes |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | PISCES, Comparative Effectiveness of Sequential Pharmacotherapeutic Strategies and Virtually Delivered Treatment to Optimize Smoking Cessation |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Lung Moonshot Program |
| Role: | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Title: | The potential risks and benefits of electronic cigarettes to older smokers at high risk for lung cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| Title: | Optimizing Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Invention During LDCT screening for Lung Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Tobacco Cessation Clinic Enhancement Program - TCCEP |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Cancer Center Tobacco Settlement Funds |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 14, 2024