Hapten-carrier conjugates for treating and preventing nicotine addiction

Abstract

Novel hapten-carrier conjugates are capable of inducing the production of antibodies, in vivo, that specifically bind to nicotine. These conjugates comprise a nicotine hapten conjugated to an immunogenic carrier protein. The novel conjugates preserve the chirality of nicotine in its native (S)-(−) state, and have good stability properties. The conjugates are useful in formulating vaccines for active immunization, that are used to prevent and treat nicotine addiction. The antibodies raised in response to the nicotine hapten-carrier conjugate are used for passive immunization. These antibodies are administered for prevention and treatment of nicotine addiction.

1 .- 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . An antibody that specifically binds to a nicotine-carrier conjugate comprising a nicotine hapten having the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein
 n is 1 to 12; 
 Z is NH 2 , COOH, CHO or SH, and 
 —(CH 2 ) n —Z can be bonded to the 3′, 4′ or 5′ position, 
 wherein the Z moiety is bound to a carrier protein, directly or via a linker. 
 
     
     
         37 . The antibody of  claim 36 , which is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         38 . The antibody of  claim 36 , which is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         39 . The antibody of  claim 36 , which is a human antibody. 
     
     
         40 . A fragment of the antibody of  claim 36  that specifically binds to the nicotine-carrier conjugate. 
     
     
         41 . A method of treating nicotine addiction in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody of  claim 36 . 
     
     
         42 . A method of preventing nicotine addiction in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody of  claim 36 . 
     
     
         43 . A method of obtaining an antibody according to  claim 39 , comprising screening human serum for an antibody that specifically binds to the nicotine-carrier conjugate.