Prayers from millions of people who suffer from adolescent
and/or adult acne would be answered if it happens. A vaccine company Sanofi
Pasteur from France has partnered up with University of California, San Diego,
to develop an investigational vaccine for acne. It’s still a long
shot away but preliminary work is already in progress.
The vaccine would target a protein called CAMP made by the
Propionibacterium acnes. Instead of killing the bacteria, like current
antimicrobial acne treatments (topical antibiotics and benzyl
peroxide) the vaccine would basically render the bacteria harmless. Simply
eradicating Propionibacterium acnes is not viable because it still
has important functions to perform on the surface of the skin. By targeting the
protein thought to be responsible for the inflammation, just that function can
be controlled, leaving the bacteria to perform other functions that are still
necessary. And, unlike antibiotics, there would be no worry of developing
resistant strains of bacteria. Plus, the vaccine wouldn't harm other bacteria. The proposed vaccine may be delivered locally, using
micro needles, within the skin of people with acne.
Before you shout, "sign me up!" remember that this
is still in the developmental stage. Even if all research goes as planned, and
they are actually able to develop an acne vaccine, it will most
likely be years before this is ready for the public.
And though I'm thrilled about the idea I have doubts that a
vaccine would actually work as a single miracle cure. As we know, bacteria are
only one factor that contributes to acne. Other factors include a proliferation
of dead skin cells, retention hyperkeratosis and overactive sebaceous
glands. We already know that treatments that target just one factor of
acne pathogenesis don't really do much to clear the skin. Combination approach
targeting the multiple causes of acne gets much better results. Exciting stuff
would be to have a new weapon in our fight against the age old acne.
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