The structural design, preparative methods and
chemical composition of two structural formulations of bivalent vaccines against
morphine-
heroin addiction (
morphine-6-hemisuccinyl-EDC-TFCS-
tetanus toxoid and 3-O-carboxymethylmorphine-EDC-TFCS-
tetanus toxoid), are disclosed. These vaccines are suitable for
human use in which they are capable of triggering the synthesis of
polyclonal antibodies against
morphine opiate and its structural analogue,
heroin, through the repeated
in vivo administration of these formulations, in active
vaccination protocols, in pre-clinical studies in rodents. The active
vaccination paradigm through which these immunogens trigger a humoral immune response consolidated with a long-term
immunological memory, characterized by the presence of high titers of specific antibodies against these two
drugs of abuse, is also disclosed. Furthermore, the present invention reveals the
efficacy of these conjugate formulations for triggering a sustained immunoprotection against morphine and
heroin addiction using an intravenous self-administration paradigm of these two
opiate substances in the
rodent. Finally, a discussion is also made on the potential future use of these immunoconjugates in active
vaccination protocols for treating both morphine and heroin
addiction in the humans.