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Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) present a worldwide challenge with few effective therapies except for the relative efficacy of opioid pharmacotherapies, despite limited treatment access. However, the proliferation of illicit fentanyl use initiated a dramatic and cascading epidemic of lethal overdoses. This rise in fentanyl overdoses regenerated an interest in vaccine immunotherapy, which, despite an optimistic start in animal models over the past 50 years, yielded disappointing results in human clinical trials of vaccines against nicotine, stimulants (cocaine and methamphetamine), and opioids. After a brief review of clinical and selected preclinical vaccine studies, the "lessons learned" from the previous vaccine clinical trials are summarized, and then the newest challenge of a vaccine against fentanyl and its analogs is explored. Animal studies have made significant advances in vaccine technology for SUD treatment over the past 50 years, and the resulting anti-fentanyl vaccines show remarkable promise for ending this epidemic of fentanyl deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Kosten
- Waggoner Professor of Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston
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2
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Vavilis T, Stamoula E, Sachinidis A, Lamprinou M, Dardalas I, Papazisis G. Biopharmaceuticals against substance use disorders - Present and future. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 944:175587. [PMID: 36775113 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pharmacological treatments available for substance use disorder (SUD) focus on pharmacodynamics, agonizing or antagonizing the drug of abuse (DOA) on receptor level. Drawbacks of this approach include the reliance on long-term patient compliance, on-target off-site effects, perpetuation of addiction and unavailability for many DOAs. Newer, pharmacokinetic approaches are needed that restrict DOA's access to the brain or disrupt DOA-instated brain changes maintaining addiction. Biotechnology might be able to provide the right biopharmaceutical tools to deliver a fine-tuned solution with less side effects compared to currently available treatments. METHODS This review examines the available literature on biopharmaceuticals developed to treat SUD. RESULTS Active and passive immunization, metabolic enhancers that augment DOA metabolism and clearance, as well as genetic/epigenetic modulation are promising next generation SUD treatments. Active immunization relies on production of antidrug antibodies by means of vaccination, while passive immunization constitutes of exogenous administration of such antibodies. Metabolic enhancers include drug-specific metabolizing enzymes that can be administered or secreted by modified skin grafts, as well as catalytic antibodies that hasten DOA metabolism. Nanotechnological advances can also allow for brain delivery of siRNAs, mRNAs or DNA in order to modulate central, common in all addictions, genetic or epigenetic targets attenuating drug seeking behavior and reversing drug-induced brain changes. CONCLUSIONS and Scientific Significance: Biopharmaceuticals can in the future complement or even replace traditional pharmacodynamics approaches in SUD treatment. While passive and active immunization biopharmaceuticals have entered human clinical trials, metabolic enhancers and genetic approaches are at the preclinical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theofanis Vavilis
- Laboratory of Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Dentistry, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, 2404, Cyprus.
| | - Eleni Stamoula
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre of Systems Biology, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasios Sachinidis
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Malamatenia Lamprinou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Dardalas
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Papazisis
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; Clinical Research Unit, Special Unit for Biomedical Research and Education (SUBRE), School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Exploring the Role of DARPP-32 in Addiction: A Review of the Current Limitations of Addiction Treatment Pathways and the Role of DARPP-32 to Improve Them. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3030035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We are amidst a global addiction crisis, yet stigmas surrounding addiction counterintuitively prevail. Understanding and appreciating the neurobiology of addiction is essential to dissolve this stigma and for the development of new pharmacological agents to improve upon currently narrow therapeutic options. This review highlights this and evaluates dopamine-and-cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32 kDa (DARPP-32) as a potential target to treat various forms of substance abuse. Despite the proven involvement of DARPP-32 in addiction pathophysiology, no robust investigations into compounds that could pharmacologically modulate it have been carried out. Agents capable of altering DARPP-32 signalling in this way could prevent or reverse drug abuse and improve upon currently substandard treatment options.
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Wang W, Lu S, Tang H, Wang B, Sun C, Zheng P, Bai Y, Lu Z, Kang Y. A Scoping Review of Drug Epidemic Models. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042017. [PMID: 35206206 PMCID: PMC8872096 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The phenomenon of drug epidemics has been a global issue in the past decades, causing enormous damages to the physical and mental health of drug users and social well-being. Despite great efforts to curb drug epidemics at the governmental or social level, the total number of drug users has still been on the rise in recent years, along with illicit production and trafficking around the world. Inspired by dynamical epidemic models of infectious disease, a flourishment of promising results has been observed in the exploration of drug epidemic models. In this review, we aim to provide a scoping review of all existing drug epidemic modeling studies, and it has been shown that most studies focused on analyses of theoretical behaviors of the model systems, lacking emphasis on practical applications in real settings. We found that the drug epidemic models were characterized by a longer time scale, no incubation period, no significant prevention vaccines interfered, and population specificity. This review could assist policymakers and public health workers in gaining deeper insights into modeling tools, and help modelers improve their works, thus narrowing gaps between mathematical epidemiology and public health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Institute of Environmental Information, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; (W.W.); (B.W.); (C.S.)
| | - Sifen Lu
- Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province and Precision Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China;
| | - Haoxiang Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
| | - Biao Wang
- Institute of Environmental Information, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; (W.W.); (B.W.); (C.S.)
| | - Caiping Sun
- Institute of Environmental Information, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; (W.W.); (B.W.); (C.S.)
| | - Pai Zheng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
| | - Yi Bai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
| | - Zuhong Lu
- State Key Lab of Bioelectronics, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biomedical Engineering Education, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China;
| | - Yulin Kang
- Institute of Environmental Information, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; (W.W.); (B.W.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Truong TT, Kosten TR. Current status of vaccines for substance use disorders: A brief review of human studies. J Neurol Sci 2021; 434:120098. [PMID: 34952345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Substance use is a major public health concern worldwide. In the United States, drug-related deaths have increased many-fold in the past two decades due to the infiltration of more potent and lethal drugs such as fentanyl. Despite significant advancement in medicine, the management of substance use disorders (SUD) continues to be fraught with high attrition, relapse, morbidity, and mortality. The conceptual transition of a SUD from a moral failing to a chronic disease caused by substances facilitated the expansion of biological treatments, including pharmacotherapy, neurostimulation, and immunotherapy. While the quest for vaccines against drugs of abuse had an optimistic start in animal models, clinical trials in humans have yielded disappointing results. This paper provides a brief review on the current progress of vaccines against nicotine, stimulants (cocaine and methamphetamine), opioids including fentanyl, novel psychoactive substances (synthetic cathinones and synthetic cannabis), and discusses prospects for vaccine technology in the treatment of SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Thuy Truong
- Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1 Baylor plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Thomas R Kosten
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, BLDG 110, Rm 229, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Caetano T, Pinho MS, Ramadas E, Clara C, Areosa T, Dixe MDA. Cognitive Training Effectiveness on Memory, Executive Functioning, and Processing Speed in Individuals With Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review. Front Psychol 2021; 12:730165. [PMID: 34489833 PMCID: PMC8418081 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.730165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cerebral neuroplasticity is compromised due to substance abuse. There is damage to neuronal areas that are involved in memory and executive functioning. Treatments with worse outcomes are often associated with cognitive deficits that have resulted from substance dependence. However, there is evidence that cognitive training can lead to improvements in cognitive functions and can be useful when treating addictions. This systematic review aims to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive training in memory, executive functioning, and processing speed in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute's PICO strategy was used to develop this systematic literature review. Four databases were searched (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) to identify controlled randomized clinical studies and quasi-experimental studies, in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, from 1985 to 2019. The literature found was examined by two independent reviewers, who assessed the quality of studies that met the inclusion criteria. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for the randomized controlled trials and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies were used to assess the risk of bias. In data extraction, the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews was considered. Results: From a total of 470 studies, 319 were selected for analysis after the elimination of duplicates. According to the inclusion criteria defined, 26 studies were eligible and evaluated. An evaluation was performed considering the participant characteristics, countries, substance type, study and intervention details, and key findings. Of the 26 selected studies, 14 considered only alcoholics, six included participants with various SUD (alcohol and other substances), three exclusively looked into methamphetamine-consuming users and another three into opioid/methadone users. Moreover, 18 studies found some kind of cognitive improvement, with two of these reporting only marginally significant effects. One study found improvements only in measures similar to the training tasks, and two others had ambiguous results. Conclusions: The included studies revealed the benefits of cognitive training with regard to improving cognitive functions in individuals with SUD. Memory was the most scrutinized cognitive function in this type of intervention, and it is also one of the areas most affected by substance use. Systematic Review Registration: [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42020161039].
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Caetano
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechcare), Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.,VillaRamadas International Treatment Centre, Research and Innovation Department, Leiria, Portugal
| | - Maria Salomé Pinho
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Ramadas
- Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechcare), Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.,VillaRamadas International Treatment Centre, Research and Innovation Department, Leiria, Portugal
| | - Cátia Clara
- VillaRamadas International Treatment Centre, Research and Innovation Department, Leiria, Portugal
| | - Timóteo Areosa
- Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechcare), Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
| | - Maria Dos Anjos Dixe
- Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechcare), Polytechnic of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
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Rieder TN. Solving the Opioid Crisis Isn't Just a Public Health Challenge-It's a Bioethics Challenge. Hastings Cent Rep 2021; 50:24-32. [PMID: 33448415 DOI: 10.1002/hast.1169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Among those who discuss America's opioid crisis, it is popular to claim that we know what we, as a society, ought to do to solve the problem-we simply don't want it badly enough. We don't lack knowledge; we lack the will to act and to fund the right policies. In fact, I've heard two versions of this. Among those who focus on prescription opioids, it is clear that we ought to stop prescribing so many powerful opioid painkillers. And among my public health colleagues focusing on illicit drug use, it is clear that we ought to expand addiction treatment and harm-reduction services. The problem, however, is that the second claim is not obvious (and, indeed, is denied by many Americans), and the first claim probably isn't even true (at least, not in so crude a form). In short, the opioid crisis presents not only a problem of political will but also one of ethics. It will take work to discover or justify our normative claims in this arena.
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Robinson C, Gradinati V, Hamid F, Baehr C, Crouse B, Averick S, Kovaliov M, Harris D, Runyon S, Baruffaldi F, LeSage M, Comer S, Pravetoni M. Therapeutic and Prophylactic Vaccines to Counteract Fentanyl Use Disorders and Toxicity. J Med Chem 2020; 63:14647-14667. [PMID: 33215913 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of fatal overdoses has increased worldwide due to the widespread access to illicit fentanyl and its potent analogues. Vaccines offer a promising strategy to reduce the prevalence of opioid use disorders (OUDs) and to prevent toxicity from accidental and deliberate exposure to fentanyl and its derivatives. This study describes the development and characterization of vaccine formulations consisting of novel fentanyl-based haptens conjugated to carrier proteins. Vaccine efficacy was tested against opioid-induced behavior and toxicity in mice and rats challenged with fentanyl and its analogues. Prophylactic vaccination reduced fentanyl- and sufentanil-induced antinociception, respiratory depression, and bradycardia in mice and rats. Therapeutic vaccination also reduced fentanyl intravenous self-administration in rats. Because of their selectivity, vaccines did not interfere with the pharmacological effects of commonly used anesthetics nor with methadone, naloxone, oxycodone, or heroin. These preclinical data support the translation of vaccines as a viable strategy to counteract fentanyl use disorders and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Robinson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Valeria Gradinati
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Fatima Hamid
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Carly Baehr
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.,Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota Veterinary School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Bethany Crouse
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.,Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota Veterinary School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Saadyah Averick
- Allegheny Health Network, Neuroscience Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, United States
| | - Marina Kovaliov
- Allegheny Health Network, Neuroscience Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, United States
| | - Danni Harris
- RTI International, Raleigh, North Carolina 27616, United States
| | - Scott Runyon
- RTI International, Raleigh, North Carolina 27616, United States
| | - Federico Baruffaldi
- Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415, United States
| | - Mark LeSage
- Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415, United States
| | - Sandra Comer
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10027-6902, United States
| | - Marco Pravetoni
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.,Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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