In clinical trials, researchers are studying whether the vaccine could be helpful for patients with moderate to severe facial acne. (Image credit: Obencem via Getty Images)
Scientists are testing a vaccine to combat acne, a skin condition that affects about 95% of people aged 11 to 30. If the vaccine proves effective, it could be the world's first anti-acne vaccine.
Acne is an inflammatory condition that causes the hair follicles and pores of the skin to become clogged, resulting in pimples that most commonly appear on the face, shoulders, torso, and back. The condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including sensitivity to certain hormones produced by the body, especially those that change during puberty; taking certain medications; and having certain genetic predispositions. Bacteria on the skin, such as Cutibacterium acnes, can also contribute to acne.
The pharmaceutical company Sanofi is currently conducting early-stage clinical trials to test the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in adults with moderate to severe facial acne.
The new vaccine could “change the way we treat acne,” a Sanofi spokesperson told Live Science in an email. Indeed, such a vaccine could be a promising alternative to existing acne treatments that are inconclusive, require long-term use, and often come with unpleasant side effects. These include retinoids, antibiotics, and hormonal contraceptives.
However, trials of the new vaccine are still in the early stages, and there is no publicly available information on trial results that could confirm its effectiveness.
Here's what we know about the experimental vaccine so far.
What's the Sanofi acne vaccine research like?
Sanofi is conducting what's called a Phase I/II study. It began in April 2024 and is expected to run through 2027. During that time, the company plans to enroll about 400 adults aged 18 to 45 with moderate to severe facial acne, defined by the number of pimples on the skin.
Some trial participants will receive one of three doses of the vaccine; they will receive up to three doses during the study. At the same time, other participants will receive a “dummy” vaccine that does not contain the active ingredients. This will give the researchers a control group, allowing them to assess the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
How does the Sanofi vaccine work?
In a statement to Live Science, Sanofi did not provide details about how the new vaccine works.
However, information about the trial posted online indicates that it is an mRNA vaccine, meaning it uses a genetic molecule known as messenger RNA to deliver instructions to the body's cells; once injected, the vaccine stimulates the immune system to attack specific proteins.
In this case, the target proteins will likely be proteins produced by C. acnes, as Sanofi told Live Science that the vaccine aims to boost a patient's immune response to certain strains of bacteria thought to contribute to acne. C. acnes is the main bacteria associated with acne.
Sourse: www.livescience.com
