Scientists have created chewing gum capable of fighting cancer

Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have created an unusual chewing gum capable of neutralizing the human papillomavirus (HPV) and dangerous bacteria directly in the oral cavity. Laboratory tests showed impressive results: the experimental formulation bound up to 93% of viral particles in saliva samples from cancer patients with head and neck tumors. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.

As reported by TUT.AZ, the research team was looking for a way to deliver special proteins directly into the oral cavity to target pathogenic microorganisms. The topic is particularly relevant: prolonged presence of HPV in the body can trigger the development of certain types of cancer. In addition, the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which inhabit the mouth, are associated with a more severe course of head and neck tumors.

The key component of the antiviral gum was lablab beans — a source of the protein FRIL. This protein recognizes viral particles, attaches to them, and aggregates them into large clusters, effectively neutralizing them. In laboratory conditions, the mechanism worked brilliantly: 93% of HPV was bound in saliva samples, while in mouthwash fluid samples the figure reached 80%.

But the scientists didn't stop there. Protegrin-1 — a peptide with powerful antimicrobial properties — was added to the gum's formulation. Just a single treatment destroyed more than 99% of the two studied species of pathogenic bacteria.

Notably, the formulation acted selectively: some microorganisms remained untouched. In particular, the studied streptococci were preserved in samples in their original quantities. This suggests that the development can selectively target specific bacterial species without disrupting the balance of the oral microflora.

The authors of the study are confident that the data obtained pave the way to the next stage — clinical trials. It remains to be determined how safe and effective such chewing gum is for real patients and whether it can become an additional tool for infection control in the oral cavity.

So far, all results have been obtained exclusively in laboratory conditions. The question of whether the development can be applied for the prevention or treatment of HPV and related oncological diseases remains open and requires further investigation.