Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 1 Interventional Ages 21 to 69

Vaccine to prevent cocaine effects in dependent individuals

Official title: Phase I Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo Control Study for an Anti-cocaine Vaccine

Run by Weill Medical College of Cornell University · NCT02455479 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new vaccine that aims to help people with cocaine dependence by blocking the drug's effects on the brain.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Ages21 Years to 69 Years
SexAll
Enrollment150 (estimated)
SponsorWeill Medical College of Cornell University
Academic / other
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 13, 2016
Main results expectedDecember 2026
Study endsDecember 2027
Registry record updatedAugust 26, 2026
Trial IDNCT02455479 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 to 69 who have been diagnosed with a cocaine use disorder according to DSM-V-TR criteria.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not have a cocaine use disorder or are outside the age range of 21 to 69 may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This Phase I clinical trial evaluates the safety and preliminary efficacy of the dAd5GNE vaccine, designed to create immunity against cocaine by preventing it from reaching the brain. The vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that bind to cocaine molecules, thereby blocking their effects. Participants will receive either the vaccine or a placebo over a 32-week period while concurrently engaging in behavioral therapy. The study aims to assess how well this vaccine can help individuals diagnosed with cocaine dependence.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could provide a novel treatment option for individuals struggling with cocaine dependence.

How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, similar vaccine strategies for substance dependence have shown promise in pre-clinical studies, but this specific vaccine is novel and untested in humans.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Accrual will be random, with no bias as to gender or racial/ethnic group. Because the accrual process will be random, it is possible that there may be differences in the proportion of males and females, and racial/ethnic groups among the study individuals. All subjects will be concurrently participating in behavioral therapy programs run by Dr. Beeder's clinical team. Each case will be reviewed with the Eligibility Committee, comprised of three investigators other than the PI, to determine eligibility. The Principal Investigator will not participate in this process.

All subjects must fulfill all inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria in order to participate in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All subjects should be able to provide informed consent.
2. Must provide HIV informed consent.
3. Males and females, 21- 69 years of age.
4. Individuals that have been diagnosed with a cocaine use disorder according to DSM-V-TR criteria, with documented evidence of cocaine use within the past 60 days and have previously used an average of 1 to 10 grams of powdered and/or crack cocaine (via insufflation or smoking only) per week. Any prior 1 to 4 month period of cocaine abstinence in the past year will be excluded when calculating average cocaine use to evaluate study eligibility.

6\. Fertile males and females must agree to use adequate forms of contraception for the duration of the entire study.

7\. Body weight \> 45 kg.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals not deemed in good overall health by the investigator.
2. Diagnosed history of severe psychotic disorders.
3. Abnormal EKG at screening with changes consistent with cardiac disease.
4. History of significant cardiovascular disease, hypertension, prior myocardial infarction and/or cerebrovascular event.
5. Individuals who are currently on beta-blockers.
6. Physical signs or laboratory values suggestive of systemic disorders.
7. History of attempted suicide, as assessed by Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and/or committed homicide.
8. History of diagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
9. Known allergy to soy.
10. Individuals who are currently taking alprazolam (Xanax) or ziprasidone (Geodon).
11. Evidence of active infection of any types, including COVID-19, or positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
12. Historical or current use of immunomodulators or immunosuppressants \<5 years prior to screening.
13. Receipt of blood within 3 months of screening.
14. Females who are pregnant or nursing.
15. Concurrent participation in any other FDA approved Investigational New Drug.
16. Abnormal liver function (transaminases greater than 2x the upper limit of normal values)
17. eGFR \<30 mL/min/1.73 m2
18. Severe substance use disorder based on DSM-V-TR criteria (excluding cocaine, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana and opiates prescribed for medication assisted therapy or pain treatment) currently not in remission according to one of the following criteria:

    * Early Full Remission: This specifier is used if none of the criteria for Dependence or Abuse have been met for at least 1 month, but less than 12 months OR
    * Early Partial Remission: This specifier is used if only one or more (but not all) of the criteria for Dependence or Abuse has/have been met for at least 1 month, but less than 12 months. OR
    * Sustained Full Remission: This specifier is used if none of the criteria for Dependence or Abuse have been met at any time during a period of 12 months or longer OR
    * Sustained Partial Remission: This specifier is used if only one or more (but not all) of the criteria for Dependence or Abuse has/have been met for a period of 12 months or longer OR
    * On Agonist Therapy: This specifier is used if the individual is on a prescribed agonist medication, and none of the criteria for Dependence or Abuse has been met for that class of medication for at least the past month (except tolerance to, or withdrawal from, the agonist). This category also applies to those being treated for Dependence using a partial agonist or an agonist/antagonist OR
    * Substance Use Related Disorder (mild) up to two disorders: Patients that are assessed to have mild substance-use-related disorders according to the DSM-V criteria will be allowed to participate in the study as long as the number of the disorder-resulting substances does not exceed two (with the exception of the nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana and opiates prescribed for medication assisted therapy or pain treatment).
19. History of any seizure disorder.
20. Individuals with history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
21. Diagnosis of \>2 Substance Use Related Disorders (mild) based on DSM-V- TR criteria (excluding nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana and opiates prescribed for medication assisted therapy or pain treatment
22. On a prescribed agonist medication, with criteria for dependence or abuse for that class ofmedication for at least the past month (except tolerance to, or withdrawal from, the agonist

Where it's running

  • WCMC Department of Genetic Medicine
    New York, New York, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Ronald G Crystal, MD — Weill Medical College of Cornell University
  • Study coordinator: Sandra Hyde
  • Email: sah2003@med.cornell.edu
  • Phone: 646-962-2672

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Mild electrical brain stimulation (tDCS) with cognitive training to reduce cocaine cravings.

    This trial will test whether brief sessions of mild electrical brain stimulation (tDCS) combined with cognitive reappraisal training can lower craving in adults receiving inpatient treatment for cocaine use disorder.

    Recruiting Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, New York · NCT07318480

  • Effect of rTMS on brain factors in cocaine dependence

    This study is testing whether a type of brain stimulation can help people with cocaine addiction by reducing cravings and improving thinking skills.

    Recruiting Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Dr. Ramón de la Fuente · Mexico City, Tlalpan · NCT06189690

  • Effects of ketamine and neurofeedback on cocaine addiction

    This study is testing whether combining ketamine with brain training can help people struggling with cocaine addiction reduce their use and improve their brain function.

    Recruiting Phase 2 Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich · Zurich, Canton of Zurich · NCT06125054

  • rTMS plus cognitive-behavioral therapy for cocaine use disorder

    This study tests whether adding rapid magnetic brain stimulation to standard CBT helps people with cocaine use disorder reduce use and improve brain connectivity.

    Recruiting New York State Psychiatric Institute · New York, New York · NCT05974202

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.