New acne vaccines aim to permanently curb acne, including prevention for those with family history
Two early-stage vaccines could offer long-term protection by targeting acne bacteria or the enzyme that drives lesion formation, potentially reducing the need for antibiotics.
Two experimental vaccines for acne are entering early-stage trials with the aim of delivering long-term or permanent protection against the condition, which affects a majority of people at some point in life. Acne is caused by blocked hair follicles and excess sebum, and while many people outgrow it by their mid-20s, about 3 percent remain affected into their 30s and beyond.
One vaccine, developed by French drugmaker Sanofi, uses technology similar to that used for mRNA vaccines. It exposes the immune system to fragments of proteins from Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria linked to acne, prompting antibodies to attack the bacteria and shrink lesions. In early development, the plan is to enroll about 400 adults aged 18 to 45 with moderate to severe facial acne in a US trial, receiving two injections and a booster after a year. A separate study in Singapore involving about 200 people with mild acne is planned. Results from both studies are expected in 2027.
A second vaccine takes aim at hyaluronidase, an enzyme the acne-causing bacteria secrete to break down skin matrix and help lesions form. In a vaccine designed with an adjuvant, researchers say the body would produce antibodies to block hyaluronidase and interrupt the acne-causing process. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, reported in Nature Communications in 2023 that mice given the vaccine showed roughly half the severity of acne compared with untreated mice. Human trials are now planned, with a timeline likely at least five years before this anti-acne jab could reach the market.
Experts caution that it is not yet clear whether the Sanofi jab targets only the acne-linked bacteria or all strains found on the skin, and that some strains may be important to the skin's microbiome. The development of a potential preventive vaccine for people with family histories of acne is being discussed by dermatology researchers. Another dermatologist noted that durability of mRNA vaccines suggests that long-term acne vaccines may require periodic boosts. A consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists said these early studies show potential for preventive therapy in families with a strong genetic link to acne, and could reduce reliance on long-term antibiotics.
Current treatments include antiseptic or antibiotic creams, long courses of antibiotics, or isotretinoin, which reduces oil production but can cause very dry skin, mood changes and in rare cases serious side effects. Even when effective, acne can recur after stopping treatment. If vaccines reduce the need for antibiotics, they could help curb antibiotic resistance.
Experts emphasize that even if vaccines prove viable, uptake will depend on safety, efficacy and access. Some researchers say preventive vaccines could be targeted at people with clear family histories of acne, but more data are needed to determine who would benefit most and how to balance risks and benefits.