Scientists in Brazil are working to develop a new vaccine, which, if synthesised, will prove to be a godsend. Called “calixcoca” the new vaccine is designed to address substance abuse issues involving cocaine and its potent derivative, crack.
This groundbreaking treatment, exhibiting positive results in animal trials, stimulates an immune response that obstructs cocaine and crack from reaching the brain, effectively preventing addicts from experiencing the drug’s intoxicating effects.
Researchers involved in the project are hopeful that this vaccine could break the cycle of addiction. Frederico Garcia, a psychiatrist and project coordinator at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil, emphasized that if the treatment receives regulatory approval, it would represent the first instance of using a vaccine to combat cocaine addiction.
Recently, the project received the top prize of €500,000 at the Euro Health Innovation Awards for Latin American medicine, sponsored by pharmaceutical company Eurofarma.
The vaccine operates by prompting the immune systems of patients to generate antibodies that attach to cocaine molecules in the bloodstream. This process renders the molecules too large to enter the brain’s mesolimbic system, or “reward centre,” where the drug typically stimulates the release of pleasure-inducing dopamine.
Similar research endeavours have taken place in the United States, which holds the title of the world’s leading consumer of cocaine, as per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. However, these efforts encountered obstacles, including insufficient results in clinical trials, among other factors, as noted by Garcia.
Calixcoca has exhibited promising outcomes in animal tests, resulting in significant antibody production against cocaine and minimal side effects. Additionally, it offered protection to rat fetuses against cocaine exposure, suggesting its potential utility in safeguarding the unborn children of pregnant addicts.
The vaccine is now moving into the final phase of trials, with testing on human subjects.
Garcia maintains that Calixcoca could revolutionize addiction treatment by providing a valuable tool for individuals at critical stages of recovery, particularly when they transition from rehabilitation.
An advantage of this vaccine is that it is constructed with chemically engineered compounds, making it less expensive to produce than many vaccines and eliminating the need for cold storage.
Nevertheless, Garcia cautions that Calixcoca is not a universal solution for everyone. The precise target group will be determined based on the outcomes of clinical trials, but it is envisioned for use by recovering addicts who have abstained from cocaine and aspire to remain drug-free.
The objective is to address what Garcia describes as a “grim statistic.” According to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, one out of four regular cocaine users becomes addicted, and only one out of four addicts succeeds in quitting after five years of treatment.
Given the high stakes, the anticipation surrounding the vaccine is substantial, with more than 3,000 individuals volunteering to participate in the clinical trials conducted by Garcia’s team.