Scientists believe that in the future it may be possible to vaccinate
against nicotine addiction, making it far easier for smokers to quit.
Action on Smoking and Health statistics show that two-thirds of the ten million
smokers in the UK want to quit, but many find the process challenging.
Doctors at Weill Cornell Medical College think their research could aid
quitters, by making the habit less pleasurable.
They observed how in mice subjects which had been vaccinated, nicotine levels
in the brain fell by 85 per cent.
The vaccine works by making the liver continuously produce antibodies that deal
with drug the moment it enters the bloodstream, preventing the nicotine
particles from reaching the brain.
"As far as we can see, the best way to treat chronic nicotine addiction
from smoking is to have these Pacman-like antibodies on patrol," stated
lead investigator professor Ronald Crystal.
© Adfero Ltd
Cancer treatment news : 29 June 2012
