Cancer-fighting chewing gum cuts HPV levels by up to 93%
A bioengineered chewing gum containing antiviral proteins has shown the ability to significantly reduce HPV and bacteria levels associated with head and neck cancers. This development offers a potential low-cost, accessible therapeutic approach.
Why it matters
It provides a novel, non-invasive method for managing cancer-linked microbes, potentially improving patient outcomes in oncology.
Researchers have developed a bioengineered chewing gum that may offer a new way to target microbes associated with head and neck cancer. In tests involving oral samples from patients, extracts from the gum sharply reduced one virus and two types of bacteria linked to the disease.
The research team was led by Henry Daniell of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The findings were published in Scientific Reports and could support the development of more accessible and affordable treatments.
A Need for Better Head and Neck Cancer Therapies
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common form of cancer that begins in the tissues lining the mouth and throat. The disease can be particularly aggressive, and outcomes are often poor when it is discovered at a later stage.
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