Fentanyl vaccine potential 'game changer' for opioid epidemic

Fentanyl vaccine potential 'game changer' for opioid epidemic
Experimental design sequence and immunogenicity of the FEN-CRM+dmLT vaccine formulation. Timeline and sequence of the experiments are presented in (A) and was created with BioRender.com. Rats (N = 15) were vaccinated at weeks 0, 3 and 6 and blood samples obtained at 6, 8, 10 and blood and brain samples taken at 20 weeks. IgG antibody levels were determined using ELISA with FEN-BSA as the coating antigen. Anti-FEN IgG antibody levels over weeks in male Sprague Dawley rats are presented in (B). Anti-FEN IgG antibody levels over weeks in female Sprague Dawley rats are shown in panel (C). Data are presented as serum EU (ELISA Units)/mL (log 10, mean ± SEM). * p > 0.05, ** p < 0.01; Male vs. Female ## p < 0.01, #### p < 0.0001. Credit: Pharmaceutics (2022). DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112290

A research team led by the University of Houston has developed a vaccine targeting the dangerous synthetic opioid fentanyl that could block its ability to enter the brain, thus eliminating the drug's "high." The breakthrough discovery could have major implications for the nation's opioid epidemic by becoming a relapse prevention agent for people trying to quit using opioids. While research reveals Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is treatable, an estimated 80% of those dependent on the drug suffer a relapse.

The findings, published in the journal Pharmaceutics, could not be timelier or more in demand: Over 150 people die every day from overdoses of synthetic opioids including , which is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Consumption of about 2 milligrams of fentanyl (the size of two grains of rice) is likely to be fatal depending on a person's size.

"We believe these findings could have a significant impact on a very serious problem plaguing society for years—opioid misuse. Our vaccine is able to generate anti-fentanyl antibodies that bind to the consumed fentanyl and prevent it from entering the brain, allowing it to be eliminated out of the body via the kidneys. Thus, the individual will not feel the euphoric effects and can 'get back on the wagon' to sobriety," said the study's lead author Colin Haile, a research associate professor of psychology at UH and the Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation and Statistics (TIMES), and a founding member of the UH Drug Discovery Institute.

In another positive finding, the vaccine did not cause any in the immunized rats involved in lab studies. The team plans to start manufacturing clinical-grade vaccine in the coming months with clinical trials in humans planned soon.

Fentanyl is an especially dangerous threat because it is often added to street drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and other opioids, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone/acetaminophen pills, and even to counterfeit benzodiazepines like Xanax. These counterfeit drugs laced with fentanyl add to the amount of fentanyl overdoses in individuals who do not ordinarily consume opioids.

"The anti-fentanyl antibodies were specific to fentanyl and a fentanyl derivative and did not cross-react with other opioids, such as morphine. That means a vaccinated person would still be able to be treated for with other opioids," said Haile.

The vaccine tested contains an adjuvant derived from E. coli named dmLT. An adjuvant molecule boosts the immune system's response to vaccines, a critical component for the effectiveness of anti-addiction vaccines. The adjuvant was developed by collaborators at the Tulane University School of Medicine and has proven vital to the efficacy of the vaccine.

Also on the team are Greg Cuny, Joseph P. & Shirley Shipman Buckley Endowed Professor of Drug Discovery at the UH College of Pharmacy along with researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey Veteran's Affairs Medical Center.

Current treatments for OUD are methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone, and their effectiveness depends upon formulation, compliance, access to medications and the specific misused .

Therese Kosten, professor of psychology and director of the Developmental, Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience program at UH, calls the new a potential "game changer."

"Fentanyl use and overdose is a particular treatment challenge that is not adequately addressed with current medications because of its pharmacodynamics and managing acute overdose with the short-acting naloxone is not appropriately effective as multiple doses of naloxone are often needed to reverse fentanyl's fatal effects," said Kosten, senior author of the study.

More information: Colin N. Haile et al, An Immunconjugate Vaccine Alters Distribution and Reduces the Antinociceptive, Behavioral and Physiological Effects of Fentanyl in Male and Female Rats, Pharmaceutics (2022). DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112290

Citation: Fentanyl vaccine potential 'game changer' for opioid epidemic (2022, November 14) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-11-fentanyl-vaccine-potential-game-changer.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Deadly 'Rainbow fentanyl' looks like candy, could entice kids

96 shares

Feedback to editors