A vaccine formulated by combining harmless bits of the common cold virus and a cocaine-like compound has been tested positively for anti-cocaine results in mice. This vaccine creates an immune reaction as a result of which subsequent cocaine dosage is met with a rush of antibodies, which gobble up cocaine molecules before they reach the brain.
“Our very dramatic data shows that we can protect mice against the effects of cocaine, and we think this approach could be very promising in fighting addiction in humans,” says the study’s lead investigator, Ronald G. Crystal from Weill Cornell Medical College.
In mice, the vaccine effect lasted for at least 13 weeks, the longest time point evaluated in such a method. The results of the study were published in the online edition of a journal by Nature called Molecular Therapy.
Mr Crystal and other researchers involved hope that this novel viral concoction can offer a simple way to break and reverse cocaine and crack addictions around the world. They are now trying to ensure the safety of the vaccine for its suitability to human trials; this move is expected to be completed in about two years.
Prof. Kim Janda, co-author of the study explained that immunotherapy is unique way to tackle addiction problems and is considered safer as the vaccine does not interfere with the neurological targets of the drug, but instead block cocaine from ever reaching the brain in the first place. “(This approach) might provide the added boost to keep a person from a major relapse, as after immunisation a slip will not produce a drug effect,” he added.
If successful, this approach an also be used to treat other addictions such as nicotine, heroine and methamphetamine.
While the path to a commercially available drug is a long one, the vaccine still needs to be tested in more animal models and then extensively in humans.