Active Immunization with Cocaine–Protein Conjugate Attenuates Cocaine Effects

Immunization with cocaine–keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) conjugate elicited the formation of anti-cocaine antibody sufficient to blunt the effects of cocaine in rats. Cocaine was bound to KLH for immunization with the photoactivatable crosslinker N-hydroxysuccinimide-4-azidobezoate (HSAB). Immunization with the cocaine–KLH–complete Freund’s adjuvant complex was effective in attenuating the analgesic and reinforcing effects of cocaine in laboratory rats. Enzyme-linked dot blot assay revealed the presence of anti-cocaine antibody in serum. Competitive binding studies suggest that the antibody was specific to cocaine. Active immunization for cocaine may provide an alternative to drug treatment and may provide protection from addiction.