Prophylactic vaccination protects against the development of oxycodone self-administration

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Neuroscience
• Immunology

Background:

• Prescription opioid abuse, including oxycodone, is a significant public health concern in the U.S.
• Limited preclinical research exists on oxycodone's reinforcing effects and potential therapies for its abuse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of an anti-oxycodone immunopharmacotherapy vaccine (Oxy-TT) in preclinical models.
• To assess the vaccine's impact on oxycodone-induced antinociception and intravenous self-administration behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Male Wistar rats were immunized with either Oxy-TT or a control (tetanus toxoid).
• Rats were trained to self-administer oxycodone intravenously.
• Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessments were conducted, including brain and plasma drug concentrations, nociception assays, and self-administration under various conditions.

Main Results:

• Vaccination with Oxy-TT significantly reduced brain oxycodone concentrations and increased plasma levels due to antibody sequestration.
• Oxy-TT treated rats showed decreased sensitivity to oxycodone's analgesic effects.
• Vaccination impaired oxycodone self-administration acquisition and reduced intake under progressive ratio conditions.

Conclusions:

• Active vaccination against oxycodone demonstrates protective effects against its reinforcing properties.
• Anti-oxycodone vaccines show potential for preventing addiction and aiding in the treatment of existing opioid use disorder.
• Immunopharmacotherapy offers a promising therapeutic strategy for combating oxycodone abuse and addiction.