This Chewing Gum Could Help Fight Cancer-And It’s Headed to Trials Soon
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a chewing gum made from lablab bean proteins that may reduce oral microbes linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), including HPV and harmful bacteria.
- The gum's extracts reduced HPV levels by up to 93% in saliva samples and nearly eliminated two bacteria associated with worse cancer outcomes, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, without harming beneficial oral bacteria.
- The gum delivers antiviral and antibacterial agents directly to the mouth, offering a targeted approach that complements existing cancer treatments rather than replacing them.
- Experts caution that the duration of the gum's microbial reduction is uncertain and that HPV vaccination remains the primary preventive measure against HPV-related cancers.
- Clinical trials for the antiviral chewing gum are underway in London, with plans for similar studies in the U.S. to assess its potential role in cancer care.
