Heroin vaccine proves successful in animal trials

Researchers have developed a possible vaccine for heroin addiction

A vaccine designed to prevent heroin addicts from reusing the drug has proven successful in trials carried out on rats, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) found the vaccine prevented rats from developing the drug-seeking behaviour associated with an infusion of heroin.

In contrast, heroin-addicted rats that were not administered the vaccine returned to their drug-seeking ways when granted access to heroin.

First author of the study Joel Schlosburg commented: "Basically we were able to stop them from going through that cycle of taking more and more heroin.

"And that was with the vaccine alone; ideally for human patients, the vaccine would be given with other treatments."

The potential vaccine would help to combat addiction across an estimated ten million users worldwide and is paving the way for similar treatments for cocaine and nicotine addiction.

TSRI professor Kim Janda is currently seeking a sponsor for human clinical trials with a view to marketing the vaccine if the tests go well.