Anti-nicotine antibody

Anti-tobacco antibodies, most accurately termed anti-nicotine antibodies, are immunoglobulins that specifically bind to nicotine, the addictive component in tobacco smoke. They can be generated in response to vaccination (active immunization) or administered directly as monoclonal antibodies (passive immunization). Their primary therapeutic aim is to prevent nicotine from reaching its central nervous system receptors by sequestering it in the serum, thereby attenuating its physiological and addictive effects. High titers of such antibodies have been shown in animals and humans to reduce nicotine distribution to the brain and affect addiction-related behaviors. The concept is under investigation as an adjunct for smoking cessation, with several candidate monoclonal antibodies and vaccines in clinical development. In other immunological contexts, humans develop antibodies to plant viruses such as TMV from tobacco exposure, but these are not therapeutic targets and do not play a clear role in disease or therapy.

Other names

Anti-nicotine antibodyNicotine-specific antibodyNicotine monoclonal antibodyNic•mAb

Sequestration and neutralization of nicotine in blood, preventing entry into the brain and attenuating psychoactive/addictive effects