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Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a bioengineered chewing gum that significantly reduces human papillomavirus (HPV) levels in oral samples from head and neck cancer patients. The study, published in *Scientific Reports*, demonstrates a 93 percent reduction in HPV found in saliva and an 80 percent decrease in oral rinse samples.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which originates in the tissues lining the mouth and throat, is often diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor survival rates. The rise in oropharyngeal cancer has been linked to HPV infections, while specific bacteria, notably *Porphyromonas gingivalis* and *Fusobacterium nucleatum*, have been shown to worsen outcomes for patients.
The innovative gum is crafted from lablab beans, which contain an antiviral protein known as FRIL. The research team found that when an antimicrobial peptide called protegrin was added to the gum formulation, it effectively reduced the levels of the harmful bacteria to nearly undetectable levels while preserving beneficial oral microbes. This aspect is crucial, as traditional treatments like radiation therapy can disrupt the mouth’s microbiome, creating conditions conducive to opportunistic infections.
The findings highlight the gum’s potential applications as an adjunct therapy for existing cancer treatments and as a preventive measure against HPV transmission. Given that lip and oral cavity cancers ranked as the seventh leading cancer type in incidence and mortality rates worldwide in 2022, the researchers advocate for advancing this promising treatment into clinical trials.
Future studies will be necessary to determine the gum’s effectiveness in real-world clinical settings and its role in improving patient outcomes for those affected by head and neck cancers.
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