Cancer-fighting chewing gum cuts HPV levels by up to 93%

Key Points:

• Researchers led by Henry Daniell at the University of Pennsylvania developed a bean gum containing antiviral and antimicrobial agents that significantly reduce levels of HPV and harmful oral bacteria linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
• The gum's extracts lowered HPV levels by up to 93% in saliva and reduced harmful bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum to nearly zero without harming beneficial oral microbes.
• This approach could complement existing cancer treatments or serve as a preventive measure, addressing the limited improvements in survival and quality of life from current therapies for aggressive HNSCC.
• The study highlights the potential for more accessible and affordable therapies targeting microbial infections associated with oropharyngeal cancer, which is increasing globally and has high mortality rates.
• The research was published in Scientific Reports and supported by NIH, UCLA, and the National Cancer Institute, with contributions from multiple institutions.