07.06.2012
March 2012 «Immunovaccine» company from Scotland signed an agreement with one of the medical centers to improve existing vaccines aimed at treating cocaine dependence. This is not the first attempt in this area.
115 patients were immunized with anti-cocaine vaccine in 2009 in one of the US clinics. 38% of participants significantly reduced using this drug. Like vaccines against infectious diseases such as measles and influenza anti cocaine vaccine stimulates the immune system and generates antibodies. In contrast to antibodies against infectious diseases that destroy the harmful agents, antibodies of the new vaccine get attached to molecules of cocaine in the blood, not allowing them to pass through the blood-brain barrier. By preventing the flow of cocaine into the brain, the vaccine inhibits or blocks cocaine euphoria.
Similar experimental studies were conducted in laboratories on mice. However, despite promising results, experts warn that addict may attempt to overcome the barrier posed by the vaccine by increasing the dose. This, in turn, can cause death from overdose.
In the United States each year about 5 million people use cocaine. But at the moment, any anti-drug vaccine has not been approved by the Federal Office of Drugs and Food USA.
