Share

Vaccine vs. smoking

A vaccine aimed at helping people quit smoking by blunting the effects of nicotine doubled the number who could kick the habit but overall success remained small, US researchers said last week.

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals said 16 percent of volunteers vaccinated with the highest dose were able to quit smoking for 12 months, compared with 6 percent of those who got a placebo shot.

Fourteen percent who got a lower dose stopped smoking for at least a year, compared with 6 percent on the placebo, said Dr Stephen Rennard of the University of Nebraska Medical Centre.

Those who were unable to quit smoked fewer cigarettes, Rennard found.

"I believe data from this trial are very encouraging for smokers who are trying to quit as well as for the field of smoking cessation vaccines," Rennard said in a statement.

Blocks nicotine
The vaccine is designed to make the body produce immune system chemicals called antibodies that stop nicotine from getting to the brain and producing its pleasurable effects.

Rennard said patients who produced the most anti-nicotine antibodies were also the ones most likely to stop smoking for longer. And if they did not quit, they smoked less - 10 cigarettes on average a day, compared with 20 before they got the vaccine.

"This development is key for the field of smoking cessation research and could have a significant impact on how we treat patients with nicotine addiction," said Rennard, who presented his findings to a meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Florida. – (Reuters Health)

Read more:
Stop smoking Centre

November 2007

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE