Vaccines against smoking, obesity and high blood pressure could be developed 'within the next decade'

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Vaccines against smoking, obesity and high blood pressure could be developed

'within the next decade'

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 7:53 PM on 30th July 2008

Vaccines against smoking, obesity and high blood pressure could all be

developed within the next decade, scientists believe.

Even drug addiction could be beaten by a new generation of jabs aimed at

tackling the scourges of 21st century health.

Possible breakthroughs include a blood pressure vaccine which would replace

daily tablets and could be available within just four years.

Made by Swiss firm Cytos, it works by priming the body to produce

disease-fighting antibodies.

These attack angiotensin, a hormone that raises blood pressure by narrowing

the blood vessels.

The vaccine would be a boon for millions currently treated with drugs which

can cause side-effects including fatigue and nausea. Trials show a short

course of injections is as effective as some tablets.

Anti-smoking vaccines are also undergoing human trials, this week's New

Scientist magazine reports. In a U.S. Trial of 300 cigarette smokers, 15 per

cent of those vaccinated quit after a year of treatment.

New Scientist says: 'The second vaccine revolution will not eradicate killer

diseases.

'It might, however, cut the death toll from problems, that, if untreated,

will become some of the biggest killers of the 21st century.'