Vaccines to combat smoking.
BACKGROUND
Current US FDA-approved biological therapies for treating smoking target central nervous system processes. Although these therapies have had some success, relapse within a year is still high. Clearly additional strategies are needed to aid individuals in maintaining abstinence.


OBJECTIVE
We briefly discuss promising research using vaccines to combat smoking and then identify some potentially important directions for future research.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunization with a nicotine vaccine generates drug-specific antibodies that sequester some of the nicotine in the peripheral circulation preventing it from entering the brain, thus decreasing its addictive effects. Albeit promising, much more research is necessary to identify more efficacious vaccine designs and formulations, as well as optimal immunization regimens. A further understanding of the factors contributing to the substantial individual differences in immunogenicity to these vaccines and how to best use vaccines in combination with other treatment strategies will increase the success of intervention efforts.
Bevins
Rick A
RA
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Psychology, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0308, USA. rbevins1@unl.edu
Wilkinson
Jamie L
JL
Sanderson
Sam D
SD
D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000276:immunology*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000276:immunology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014612:Vaccines
D000906:Antibodies; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D014612:Vaccines; D009538:Nicotine