There are over 48 million smokers in the U.S., and over 20 million try to stop smoking every year. However, less than 5 percent of smokers succeed in quitting long-term. Now research reports that an experimental vaccine called NicVax may help smokers quit. The vaccine stimulates the body's immune system to produce antibodies against nicotine. This prevents nicotine from reaching the brain, making smoking less pleasurable.
The study, published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, investigated the effects of the nicotine vaccine, NicVax, on smoking behavior. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis, administered daily injections of three different doses of vaccine or a placebo (a shot with no vaccine) to 68 smokers with no known health problems. The vaccine or placebo was injected at the beginning of the study, and after 4, 8, and 26 weeks. None of the participants planned to stop smoking during the study. Blood tests were obtained from the participants.
The researchers found that the vaccine was safe and well-tolerated, with no serious side effects. The immune responses to the vaccine varied, with the strongest response in the group that received the highest vaccine dose. Findings also revealed that 9 participants stopped smoking, including 6 participants receiving the high dose vaccine, 1 participant receiving the medium dose vaccine, and 2 participants from the placebo group. There was no evidence of nicotine withdrawal or compensatory smoking.
"The nicotine vaccine appears to be a promising medication for tobacco dependence," the study authors conclude. Another, larger study is currently testing the effectiveness of the vaccine for smoking cessation.
REFERENCES:
1. Hatsukami DK et al. Safety and immunogenicity of a nicotine conjugate vaccine in current smokers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2005 Nov;78(5):456-67.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 10, 2006 02:51 PM
