2023-06-28 00:38:00
The FDA, which is the agency that regulates drugs in the United States, designated GSK’s first-of-its-kind gonorrhea vaccine “Fast Track”. This indicates that the innovation will have an accelerated analysis by the regulatory body.
Potential vaccine for the treatment of gonorrhea. (Photo: Reproduction/Gazeta do Povo)
This benefit is aimed at medicines and vaccines that seek to treat and/or prevent serious illnesses with unmet needs.
Second only to genital herpes, gonorrhea is the second largest sexually transmitted infection globally. It has over 80 million new cases each year. To date, there is no vaccine to prevent this infection.
The resistance of the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics has been increasing over the years. This means that many types of antibiotics previously used to treat the disease are no longer effective.
The new vaccine, with great immunizing potential, is in the second phase of clinical trials. This represents an intermediate stage in vaccine studies. During this stage, its effectiveness is evaluated in healthy adults, between 18 and 50 years of age and at high risk of contracting the infection. This test started in November 2022 and already has 750 volunteers and eight countries, including Brazil.
In most women this infection is asymptomatic and underdiagnosed. However, if left untreated, it can lead to long-term complications and dangers such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and complications during pregnancy.
In men, the disease manifests itself with uncomfortable symptoms, such as pain when urinating and discharge from the urethra. This makes it easier to diagnose gonorrhea in this population. However, there is a stigma surrounding the disease that makes it still a barrier to seeking treatment.
Evidence also shows that gonorrhea can increase the risks of acquiring and/or transmitting HIV.
Featured photo: Potential vaccine for the treatment of gonorrhea. Reproduction/Gazeta do Povo
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