Acne, long considered merely a cosmetic issue, is now receiving attention from scientists as a full-fledged medical condition.
Today, approximately 80% of adolescents face this problem, which often persists into adulthood. Acne breakouts, coinciding with the period of self-esteem development in teenagers, frequently lead to social exclusion, low self-esteem, and even depression.
The shift in the scientific approach to acne pathogenesis, viewing it within the context of an immunoregulatory disease, facilitates the formation of fundamentally new therapeutic strategies.
Although the etiology of acne includes hormonal and genetic components, its clinical picture is primarily characterized by inflammatory processes and skin lesions caused by the proliferation of acne-causing bacteria (e.g., Cutibacterium acnes) in the pilosebaceous units.
To combat acne, scientists have developed two promising vaccines. These vaccines attempt to “train” the immune system to accurately identify and destroy both the acne-causing bacteria and the harmful substances (e.g., enzymes) they release. This approach signals a fundamental change: the focus shifts from the temporary relief of symptoms to the permanent control of the disease’s root cause – the bacteria and the immune reaction.
Sanofi is working on a vaccine intended for the treatment of moderate to severe acne conditions. The company is conducting a Phase I clinical trial on approximately 400 patients in the United States, where participants will receive two injections and a booster dose one year later.
Early studies in rodents have shown that a messenger RNA (mRNA) technology-based vaccine is more effective in limiting bacterial growth. The company estimates that the acne vaccine could generate more than $2 billion in revenue annually. Such a vaccine is also important for reducing antibiotic use, which will contribute to the fight against microbial resistance.
Concurrently, University of California scientist George Liu and colleagues are working on a different approach. Their vaccine does not directly fight the bacteria, but rather the “harmful agent” it releases – the enzyme hyaluronidase. This enzyme breaks down the skin’s protective barrier and initiates inflammation, which develops into a breakout.
Liu’s team’s experiments have already shown that the vaccine successfully halts the development of acne. It forces the body to produce antibodies that neutralize the enzyme. Unlike Sanofi’s therapeutic vaccine, this method is aimed at prevention, meaning it is for people who do not yet have acne.
However, a significant challenge faces these innovations: the growing public distrust of vaccines. Specialists note that the acne vaccine will be voluntary and will not be included in national immunization programs.
