Gene Therapy for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction is linked with uncontrollable drug seeking. Cues within the environment act as a constant reminder of the experience and can lead to relapse. Current medication options are limited when it comes to meeting the needs for treating cocaine addiction. A recent study, however, has uncovered a novel gene therapy that has the potential to reduce cravings for cocaine, as well as the risk of relapse or overdose. 

Scientists at the University of Chicago have identified an enzyme that, when modified, can act to break down cocaine within the blood stream into chemicals that have reduced toxicity and are less addictive. The altered enzyme can be introduced into the body through skin transplants - a method, they argue, that is easily monitored, minimally invasive, inexpensive and safe.

So far, the results from studies using mice have shown that transplantation of skin cells, containing the modified enzyme, result in the long-term release of the enzyme into the bloodstream and protects the mice from addictive behaviour. As a result, the mice with the implant sought cocaine less than untreated animals, and were able to withstand normally fatal overdoses of the drug. Although there needs to be further research conducted before the treatment can be used in humans, the gene therapy has the potential to reduce cocaine-seeking behaviour, protect against overdose and decrease the associations that lead to relapse.