What is a nicotine vaccine?

Nicotine vaccine is a combination of a larger molecule associated with nicotine that creates antibodies that bind to nicotine in the bloodstream. This results in a nicotine complex that is so large that nicotine cannot enter the brain. Then one feels none of the usual pleasant effect to smooth a cigarette. It seems that such a vaccine is able to face nicotine effects and help people stop smoking. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than five million people die every year for tobacco causes. It is believed that smoking causes 80% of lung cancer death that kills more people than breasts, colon and prostate cancer.

Many smokers want to stop, but addiction is quite serious. According to American Cancer Society, 70% of cigarette smokers in the US wish they can stop. However, only 4-7%, however, ended successfully without help.

Nicotin IV inhaled into the lungs and then is absorbed into the bloodstream. It is a small molecule and may exceed the haematoanceFallic barrier to enter the brain. The effects of nicotine include the release of brain chemicals called dopamine, which is involved in addictions. This change in brain chemistry causes a sense of pleasure.

Several pharmaceutical companies have developed a version of nicotine vaccines that have reached at different stages of clinical trials. Since 2010, the preparations of vaccines have been from three companies in Phase II experiments. This shows that a potential vaccine is tested to see how well it works. One of these vaccines did not cause people to stop smoking.

There is no response to the antibodies to Nicotin itself. If the substance is combined with a larger molecule that is able to cause antibodies, it is possible to obtain antibodies that leave for nicotine. Such a nicotine vaccine is known as a nicotine conjugate vaccine . Various load -bearing proteins are used, ranging from the recombinant toxin CHolera after protein derived from the outer surface of the bacteria.

Since the end of 2010, the nicotine vaccine was known as Nicvax® in the second round of Phase III clinical studies. These are large randomized studies on groups of patients whose aim is to assess the effectiveness of the drug compared to the current best treatment. This nicotine vaccine is specific to nicotine. Since it does not enter the brain, it is expected that it will not have any side effects on the central nervous system.

In experiments performed in smokers and non -smokers, the side effects of this vaccine were generally the same for both individual classes. They included headaches, colds and upper respiratory tract infections. One individual suffered from anaphylaxis, but was successfully treated.

So far, NiceVax® seems to be effective. The forwarding test, 16% of people who responded well to the vaccine, could stop smoking without relapse. Only 6% of people in a placebo group could do this. Scientists hope that the bodies of treated people prodThey utter a larger amount of antibody over time, entering less and less nicotine into the brain. Its creators also hope that the final results will indicate the degree of complete cessation of smoking.