Polymer-mediated delivery of vaccines to treat opioid use disorders and to reduce opioid-induced toxicity.

ABSTRACT: Vaccines offer a potential strategy to treat opioid use disorders (OUD) and to reduce the incidence of opioid-related overdoses. Vaccines induce opioid-specific polyclonal antibodies that selectively and effectively bind the target opioid and prevent its distribution across the blood-brain barrier. Because antibody-mediated reduction of drug distribution to the brain reduces drug-induced behavior and toxicity, vaccine efficacy depends on the quantity and quality of the antibody response. This study tested whether polymer-mediated delivery could improve vaccine efficacy against opioids as well as eliminate the need for booster injections normally required for a successful immunization. A series of novel biodegradable biocompatible thermogelling pentablock co-polymers were used to formulate

SUBMITTER: Gradinati V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8268746 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature