An ongoing clinical trial by UK researchers discovered a potential vaccine against recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI). This unique oral vaccine, which is administered by spraying it under the tongue every day for three months, was tested on 89 people with recurrent UTIs. Fifty-four percent of this cohort comprising men and women remained free from recurrent UTIs for nine years.
The initial results regarding the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine, the MV140, from the first long-term follow-up study were recently presented at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Paris. The trial also found no notable side effects in the cohort administered the vaccine.
Recurrent UTIs: Half the cohort stays infection-free
One of the most common forms of bacterial infections that affect the bladder, UTIs can reoccur in both men and women, causing discomfort and pain for a prolonged period. Unless evaluated and treated properly, recurrent UTIs can have a negative impact on an individual’s quality of life. In an effort to avoid this, the long-running trial being carried out by the clinicians at the UK’s Royal Berkshire Hospital looked at the efficacy of the oral spray-based vaccine, MV140, on a cohort of 89 people. Of this group, 48 individuals remained completely infection-free in the nine-year follow-up period.
The average infection-free period across the cohort was 54.7 months or four and a half years. While women tended to remain free of UTIs for 56.7 months, the average in men was 44.3 months — one year less.
Vaccine for UTI: Trial reveals long-term effectiveness
The 2023 study on MV140 highlighted the effectiveness of the sublingual MV140 vaccine for treating recurrent UTIs in women. The latest news release issued by EAU said, “While researchers have previously studied MV140’s short-term safety and effectiveness, this is the first long-term follow-up study to report globally.”
Dr Bob Yang, consultant urologist at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in Reading, England, who co-led the research, said in his statement, “Nine years after first receiving this new UTI vaccine, around half of participants remained infection-free. Overall, this vaccine is safe in the long term and our participants reported having fewer UTIs that were less severe. Many of those who did get a UTI told us that simply drinking plenty of water was enough to treat it.”
Before the vaccine goes to the National Health Survey (NHS) for general use, the latest results of the study are expected to go to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The full result of the study is expected to be published by the end of this year.
Game-changer in treating recurrent UTIs
Recurrent UTIs, which are more common in women, have been treated with short-term antibiotics. However, antibiotic resistance can build up over time, leading to increased cases of UTIs. Speaking to Happiest Health about the novel vaccine, Dr Sreeharsha Harinatha, senior consultant, department of urology, robotic surgery and renal transplant, Kauvery Hospitals, Bangalore, says that MV140 can be a game-changer in treating recurrent UTIs when compared to the conventional treatments. However, people should await the long-term results to understand its actual efficacy in treating those with recurrent UTIs.
“MV140 uses inactivated bacteria that can help in providing acquired immunity against bacterial infections. Unlike conventional UTI treatment methods like antibiotics that can have several side-effects in individuals, this vaccine does not cause side-effects like antibiotic resistance, which may be seen in conventional treatment methods,” said Dr Harinatha.
Takeaways
- An ongoing clinical trial for an oral UTI vaccine has shown efficacy in preventing recurrent infections.
- 54% of the cohort, including both men and women, remained free from recurrent UTIs for up to nine years.
- The initial results of the study were recently presented at the European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Paris. The vaccine showed no notable side effects in the cohort.
