New Vaccine Blocks Nicotine From Entering the Brain
A new nicotine vaccine might help smokers kick the habit for good, according to a recent study.
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, making it difficult for smokers to quit. There are currently few effective quitting aids for smokers to turn to, which prompted researchers to create a vaccine that targets nicotine before it enters the brain.
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Two previous clinical trials had failed but showed researchers that individuals with more anti-nicotine antibodies were more likely to stop smoking for more than 6 months.
With this information, researchers created a new vaccine that could increase the amount of anti-nicotine antibodies released.
In the new clinical trial utilizing a mouse model, researchers found that the effect of nicotine was delayed within only 10 minutes of vaccination, and that those treated had lower concentrations of the drug in their brain.
“These studies underlie the feasibility of improvement in anti-nicotine vaccine formulations to move toward clinical efficacy,” researchers concluded.
—Amanda Balbi
References:
- Jacob NT, Lockner JW, Schlosburg JE, Ellis BA, Eubanks LM, Janda KD. Investigations of enantiopure nicotine haptens using an adjuvanting carrier in anti-nicotine vaccine development. J Med Chem. Published online February 26, 2016. doi:10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01676.
- American Chemical Society. Nicotine vaccine delays the drug's effects in mice. ScienceDaily. March 9, 2016. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160309160734.htm.