Play store
A bioengineered chewing gum has shown encouraging results in targeting viruses and bacteria associated with head and neck cancer, offering a potential low-cost approach to complement existing treatments, according to a new study.
Researchers led by Henry Daniell of the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania developed the chewing gum using lablab beans. The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggest the gum could help reduce harmful microbes linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), one of the most common cancers affecting the mouth and throat.
HNSCC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment outcomes are poor. Daniell said that while several new cancer drugs have been approved in recent years, they have not significantly improved patients’ quality of life or five-year survival rates, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies.
The research focused on three cancer-associated microbes: human papillomavirus (HPV), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn). HPV infection has been linked to a growing number of oropharyngeal cancer cases, while Pg and Fn infections are associated with poorer survival in patients with recurrent or metastatic oral cancer.
The chewing gum contains FRIL, a naturally occurring antiviral protein found in lablab beans. In laboratory tests using oral samples from HNSCC patients, gum extracts reduced HPV levels by 93% in saliva samples and by 80% in oral rinse samples.
The researchers further enhanced the gum by incorporating protegrin, an antimicrobial peptide that targets harmful bacteria. A single dose reduced Pg and Fn levels to nearly undetectable levels in laboratory tests.
The study also found that the treatment appeared to spare beneficial bacteria that naturally inhabit the mouth. This contrasts with radiation therapy, which can disrupt the oral microbiome by reducing helpful bacteria and promoting the growth of disease-causing yeast such as Candida albicans.
While the findings are promising, further clinical studies will be needed to determine whether the bioengineered chewing gum is safe and effective for routine use in preventing or treating head and neck cancer-related infections in patients.
