New research has revealed that an oral spray vaccine designed to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) was effective in more than half of participants for up to nine years, offering a safe and viable alternative to antibiotic treatment.
UTIs are known for their painful symptoms, including burning sensations, frequent urination, and persistent urge to urinate. Recurrent UTIs, defined as three or more infections within 12 months, affect 20% to 30% of cases, predominantly women due to anatomical reasons.
Escherichia coli is responsible for 80-85% of these infections, with other bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Enterococcus faecalis also playing a role. Given the rising antibiotic resistance, there is a critical need for effective alternatives.
MV140, marketed as Uromune, is a novel vaccine aimed at treating recurrent UTIs in both women and men.
Formulated from inactivated strains of the aforementioned bacteria, it stimulates the immune system to provide prolonged protection against UTIs.
Unlike injections, Uromune is administered as a pineapple-flavored spray under the tongue daily for three months. Recent research led by clinicians at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in the UK has shown its efficacy lasting up to nine years.
“Before receiving the vaccine, all participants suffered from recurrent UTIs, which can be challenging to treat for many women,” explained Bob Yang, consultant urologist at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and co-lead of the study.
“Nine years after initial vaccination, approximately half of the participants remained free from infections. This vaccine has shown long-term safety, with participants reporting fewer and less severe UTIs. Many who did experience a UTI found that increased water intake alone was sufficient for treatment.”
The study builds upon initial trials reported in the British Journal of Urology International, which demonstrated that 78% of treated women remained UTI-free in a 12-month follow-up period.
Now, nine years later, a follow-up study involving 72 women and 17 men examined the vaccine’s sustained effectiveness.
During the nine-year period, 54% of participants remained completely free of UTIs. Women remained UTI-free for an average of 56.7 months, while men remained free for an average of 44.3 months. Additionally, 40% of participants received repeat vaccine doses one or two years after the initial treatment.
“This vaccine is straightforward to administer and could be easily provided by GPs as a three-month course,” Yang noted. “Many participants expressed that the vaccine significantly improved their quality of life.
While further investigation is needed across different patient demographics, these follow-up findings suggest it could revolutionize UTI prevention if widely implemented, potentially reducing reliance on antibiotic therapies.”
Uromune is currently accessible through special access programs in 26 countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.
A comprehensive review of five studies in 2023 confirmed that MV140/Uromune effectively prevented or reduced UTIs in women, resulting in decreased antibiotic usage and healthcare costs.
These results were presented at the 39th Annual European Association of Urology (EAU) Congress in Paris and are anticipated to be published in a peer-reviewed journal later this year.
