Health & Wellbeing

Experimental fentanyl vaccine stops the drug from entering the brain

Experimental fentanyl vaccine stops the drug from entering the brain
Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids, and is therefore one of the most lethal when taken in excess
Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids, and is therefore one of the most lethal when taken in excess
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Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids, and is therefore one of the most lethal when taken in excess
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Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids, and is therefore one of the most lethal when taken in excess

Even when someone is determined to beat their fentanyl addiction, there's still a good chance they will relapse at some point, and start taking the opioid again. A new vaccine is designed to help get them back on track, by blocking fentanyl's effect on the brain.

Developed by a team led by the University of Houston, the vaccine incorporates a fentanyl-like hapten.

A hapten is a small molecule which, when combined with a larger carrier protein, elicits the production of antibodies which bind to it. In the case of this vaccine, that protein is in fact a genetically deactivated diphtheria toxin known as CRM197 – it is already used in multiple FDA-approved vaccines.

Once the antibodies have been produced, they bind not only to the fentanyl-like hapten molecules, but also to any actual fentanyl molecules present in the bloodstream. Those molecules are thus unable to enter the brain, so they don't produce any feelings of euphoria. They ultimately end up being passed from the body via the kidneys.

Also present in the vaccine is an adjuvant molecule called dmLT, which is derived from E. coli bacteria. Like other adjuvants, it boosts the immune response produced by vaccines, making the medications more effective.

In tests performed on rats, the vaccine was shown to be effective at keeping fentanyl from reaching the brain, while not producing any significant side effects. And importantly, the antibodies which it produces specifically target the fentanyl and hapten molecules, leaving all others alone. This means that other types of opioids, such as morphine, are still effective for pain relief.

Plans call for human clinical trials of the vaccine to begin soon.

"We believe these findings could have a significant impact on a very serious problem plaguing society for years – opioid misuse," said the lead scientist, Assoc. Prof. Colin Haile. "Our vaccine is able to generate anti-fentanyl antibodies that bind to the consumed fentanyl and prevent it from entering the brain […] Thus, the individual will not feel the euphoric effects and can 'get back on the wagon' to sobriety."

A paper on the research – which also involved scientists from Tulane University, the Baylor College of Medicine, and the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Houston – was recently published in the journal Pharmaceutics.

Source: University of Houston

5 comments
5 comments
HoppyHopkins
This might be great for stopping addiction but does it still allow using the drug a topical pain treatment?
DaaBoss
Do the math: This "solution" assumes the +100k/yr deaths are due to voluntarily trying to get "high" and choosing Fentanyl. Instead, most all Fentanyl deaths occur from taking a low dose of any number of "safe drugs", such as Zanax, Valium, or even Ecstasy, typically "borrowed" from a friend or relative. Or, since getting a single simple 1 week prescription to 5mg x 20 hydrocodone takes weeks to get a doctor's appointment, and hundreds in costs, they might "borrow" one from a friend instead. Even if a bona fide prescription tablet was just stored in the same bottle with Fentanyl, it could pick up enough dust to kill. In each case, they died from being poisoned, NOT from addiction, NOT from trying to get high. These reasons cover 95% of the Fentanyl deaths = Unintentional poisoning, and NOT addiction!
Gregg Eshelman
If the FDA would allow research on ibogaine, opioid addictions would be much less of a problem. For heroin addicts it's a one time treatment. When they're done, they're done with heroin and probably other opioids.
ljaques
Great! I hope the vax works on humans as well and they distribute it to those in need. Ibogaine looks promising, too, and should be given another look so they could take it off the Schedule. The Wiki on ibogaine is interesting, and it could help bring lots of people back into society, without their addictions.
@DaaBoss It's a shame that PAIN and pain meds are such a stigma in society, while dozens of illegal drugs are being given legal status. SCOTUS lessened the ax wielding a bit this month, but a lot more has to happen. I just wish that doctors could understand and treat pain better so society could treat people in pain less like criminals. And tell your friends not to "borrow" pain meds from junkies and drug dealers, eh? It's not safe for them.
Kevin O
What are the chances this would cause a person to be conscious and aware during any subsequent surgeries??