Imagine being able to get a vaccine that would immunize you against nicotine addiction. After receiving a series of shots that encourage your body to build antibodies to nicotine, the vaccine would render the drug non-addictive. Imagine that.

While it may seem far fetched, such a vaccine is under current development by researchers at NABI Biopharmaceuticals. The goal of the nicotine vaccine, called NicVAX® (Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine) is twofold: to help people quit using tobacco and to eliminate the threat of a relapse by helping the body produce antibodies to nicotine.

Thanks to a $10-million grant just awarded them by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes on Health, NABI is now preparing to send NicVAX into its first phase III trial, an important step toward the final approval it needs from the Food and Drug Administration.

How The Nicotine Vaccine Works

Nicotine molecules are tiny and move easily through the blood-brain barrier, where they bind with nicotine receptors that activate the same reward pathways in the brain that other drugs of abuse such as cocaine or amphetamines do, although to a lesser degree. Research has shown that nicotine increases the level of dopamine in the brain, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for feelings of pleasure and well-being...and dependence.

When NicVAX enters the bloodstream via a shot in the arm, it helps the body's immune system generate antibodies to nicotine. Once this happens, these antibodies "capture" nicotine molecules by binding with them. And because the antibodies are too large to breach the blood/brain barrier, nicotine is unable to travel on to the brain where it can cause addiction.

"Nicotine addiction causes nearly a half million deaths annually in the United States alone. Finding effective treatments that can help people stay off cigarettes has been a real challenge," said NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins. "This Phase III trial of a nicotine vaccine offers tremendous hope towards solving this immense public health problem."

Federal Stimulus Grant Supports Crucial Study of Anti-Nicotine Vaccine -- NIH News

The nicotine vaccine, once approved, will be a valuable addition to the variety of quit aids available today. With a human life being lost to tobacco-related disease every 8 seconds somewhere on the planet, smokers need as many choices as possible to help them beat nicotine addiction before it beats them.

Quit Help:

• Your Quit Smoking Toolbox

• Smoking Cessation Support Forum

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According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in American men and women today. It's also the most preventable form of cancer, with upwards of 87 percent of lung cancer cases attributable to tobacco use.

It's estimated that 219,440 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. before years end, and 159,390 precious lives will be lost.

If you're still smoking, I urge you to make the commitment to quit now. There is no time like the present to begin work on the changes you dream of making to improve your life.

Related:

• All About Lung Cancer

• Gaylene's Lung Cancer Journal

• Diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer - Cheryl's Story

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Reader Stories

Have you quit smoking successfully - perhaps after a smoking relapse or two? Have tips to share about nicotine withdrawal? There is no better medicine than hearing from those who have been there and done that, especially when it comes to quitting tobacco.

Here at About.com Smoking Cessation we have a new feature that allows all of you, dear readers, to share your stories and tips. Follow the links below to read what others have had to say and add your voice to the mix if you're willing.

Reader Stories:

My Relapse Story

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Take The Quit Smoking Monday Pledge

Healthy Monday encourages us to think of for ourselves. If you're still smoking, put your cigarettes down and get started on your quit program today.

• Quit Smoking Monday Messages Archive

We all have the ability to quit smoking successfully, and we all deserve a life that is free of addiction. Honor your life by choosing Monday as the day to start and reinforce your quit program.

You can quit smoking ... and we're here to help you, one simple Monday at a time.

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Do you worry about getting lung cancer? Most smokers do.

If you're a smoker (or ex-smoker) who is concerned about what the years of tobacco smoking have done to your lungs, consider this: by quitting, your risk of a wide variety of smoking-related illnesses decreases dramatically, as well as the risk of lung cancer.

Related:

• How Smoking Harms Us: From Head to Toe

• Smoking Cessation May Reduce Some Lung Damage

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