[Experimental vaccines for sexually transmitted infections]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology
• Public Health

Context:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a significant global health burden with current prevention methods having limitations.
• Vaccines are being developed as a crucial addition to the prevention armamentarium, offering durable protection against STIs.
• Challenges remain in inducing and maintaining long-term mucosal immune responses in the female genital tract.

Purpose:

• To review the current landscape and future prospects of vaccine development for the prevention of STIs.
• To highlight the potential of vaccines in reducing STI transmission and preventing associated complications.
• To discuss the role of universal vaccination strategies in mitigating the need for risk-based STI prevention.

Summary:

• Vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV) are showing high efficacy, with HPV-16/18 VLP vaccines preventing over 70% of invasive cervical cancer.
• Phase III trials demonstrate complete protection against HPV-related cervical intraepithelial neoplasias and adenocarcinoma in situ with a quadrivalent HPV vaccine.
• While vaccines for infections like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are in early development, they hold promise for preventing pelvic inflammatory disease. An effective HIV vaccine remains a critical unmet need.

Impact:

• Vaccine development for STIs, though historically slow, is advancing with promising candidates.
• The ideal STI vaccine would reduce transmission and prevent disease complications, significantly impacting public health.
• Future universal vaccination programs for newborns and children are expected to decrease the incidence of STIs and the need for targeted vaccination in at-risk populations.