Creating a long-lasting enzyme treatment for cocaine addiction
Development of a Long-acting Enzyme Therapy for Treatment of Cocaine Abuse
This study is testing a new treatment that uses special enzymes to help the body break down cocaine more effectively, aiming to help people struggling with cocaine addiction and reduce the risk of overdose.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10405101 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new enzyme therapy to treat cocaine abuse, which is a significant public health issue. The approach involves enhancing the body's ability to metabolize cocaine into inactive forms using specially designed enzymes called cocaine hydrolases (CocHs). These enzymes are engineered to be much more effective than the natural enzymes in breaking down cocaine, potentially providing a new way to manage cocaine dependence and overdose. The research includes both preclinical and clinical phases to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are dependent on cocaine or have experienced cocaine overdose.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use cocaine or are not affected by cocaine dependence will not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a much-needed FDA-approved medication for individuals struggling with cocaine addiction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using enzyme therapies for drug dependence, making this approach a potentially viable option.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhan, Chang-Guo — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Zhan, Chang-Guo
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.