A Vaccine to Fight Opioid Overdose Is in the Works

A team of researchers affiliated with the University of Houston in Texas, the United States, is developing a vaccine preventing fentanyl from entering the brain, in a potentially powerful tool against synthetic opioid overdosage.

“I think the research on this is fascinating,” says Virginia Guy, the executive director of the Drug Education Council. “Right now, this is just at the rat study level, but I think it holds some promise.”

The vaccine contains dmLT, an E. coli derivative, used as an adjuvant that boosts the immune system’s response to vaccines. This component plays a key role in inoculation against addiction. Upon receiving the vaccine, the 60 immunized rats were able to produce anti-fentanyl antibodies. Incidentally, the drug’s effects were stopped, and the fentanyl exited the body via the kidneys. No adverse side effects were noted, and the vaccine is proven to not cross-react with other opioids like morphine, meaning that “a vaccinated person would still be able to be treated for pain relief,” with those drugs, says Colin Haile, lead author of the study and psychologist at the University of Houston. Once the vaccine is approved by the FDA, clinical trials can begin. Hopefully, it can be sold within three or four years.