Enantiopure haptens for nicotine vaccine development

Abstract

The invention provides chiral haptens (−)-3′-AmNic and (−)-N4N for use in generating antibodies in a patient specific for (−)-nicotine. The haptens can be conjugated to suitable carrier proteins and administered as an antigenic mixture, optionally comprising adjuvant(s), to a patient suffering from nicotine or tobacco addiction or habituation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hapten of formula (−)-N4N 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         2 . A hapten-carrier conjugate comprising a hapten of of formula (−)-3′-AmNic 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         or formula (−)-N4N 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein the hapten is covalently bonded via a linker to a carrier protein. 
       
     
     
         3 . The hapten-carrier conjugate of  claim 2 , wherein the hapten is formula (−)-N4N 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         4 . An antigen for administration to a patient, comprising the hapten-carrier conjugate of  claim 2  optionally in combination with one or more adjuvants. 
     
     
         5 . An antiserum comprising antibodies produced in response to the antigen of  claim 4 , wherein the antibodies have immunological affinity for (−)-nicotine. 
     
     
         6 . A method of treatment of nicotine or tobacco addiction or habituation in a patient suffering therefrom, comprising administering an effective amount of the antigen of  claim 4  to the patient, such that antibodies are produced in the patient having affinity for (−)-nicotine. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treatment of nicotine or tobacco addiction or habituation in a patient suffering therefrom, comprising administering an effective amount of the antiserum of  claim 5  to the patient.