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Developed technology to block drug addiction
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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An international team of scientists has succeeded in developing a technology to block drug addiction. This became possible thanks to the discovery of a key mechanism in the human immune system that determines human addiction to opiate drugs.
Laboratory studies have shown that (+)-naloxone successfully blocks the immune system's response to drugs, reducing the effects of addiction and reducing the pain known as withdrawal. The results of these studies may lead to the development of new, strong, non-addictive painkillers. But most importantly, the new drug may help people with drug addiction to kick their habit.
"Our research has shown that the human immune and central nervous systems play a major role in the development of addiction. By blocking the immune response in the human brain with medication, we have been able to prevent the development of drug addiction," says Dr Mark Hutchinson from the University of Adelaide's School of Health Sciences.
The scientists' efforts have focused on targeting an immune receptor known as Toll-Like receptor 4 (TLR4). "Opiate drugs like morphine and heroin bind to TLR4 in a similar way, causing a response very similar to the normal immune system response to pathogens. The problem is that TLR4 acts as an amplifier, increasing the body's response to drugs, which leads to addiction," Hutchinson says.
"But the drug (+)-naloxone completely stops the occurrence of addiction. It "turns off" the need for repeated administration of opiates, which also changes the person's behavior, determined by his addiction."
The researchers say they will need some time for additional research, and clinical trials of the new drug will begin in 18 months.