Nicotine Vaccine Helps Some Quit Smoking

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines
Article Date: 09 Nov 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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US researchers said that a vaccine aimed at helping people quit smoking by blunting the effects of nicotine doubled the number who could kick the habit, but overall success remained small.

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals said 16 per cent of volunteers vaccinated with the highest dose were able to quit smoking for 12 months, compared with six per cent of those who got a placebo shot.

Fourteen per cent who got a lower dose stopped smoking for at least a year, compared with six per cent on the placebo, said Dr Stephen Rennard of the University of Nebraska Medical Centre.

Those who were unable to quit, smoked fewer cigarettes, Rennard found.

"I believe data from this trial is very encouraging for smokers who are trying to quit as well as for the field of smoking cessation vaccines," Rennard said in a statement.

The vaccine is designed to make the body produce immune system chemicals called antibodies, that stop nicotine from getting to the brain and producing its pleasurable effects.

Rennard said patients who produced the most anti-nicotine antibodies were also the ones most likely to stop smoking for longer. And if they did not quit, they smoked less - 10 cigarettes on average a day, compared with 20 before they got the vaccine.

Rennard, who presented his findings at a meeting of the American Heart Association said, "This development is important for the field of smoking cessation research and could have a significant impact on how we treat patients with nicotine addiction."

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