An international group of researchers tested an experimental chewing gum that could act against human papillomavirus (HPV) and bacteria associated with head and neck cancer. So far, the trials have been conducted only in the laboratory — on saliva samples and oral rinses, without the involvement of patients.
The gum contains two active components. The first is FRIL, a protein from edible hyacinth beans, which binds to viral particles and prevents them from infecting cells. The second is the antimicrobial peptide protgrin-1, which had previously been studied for treating inflammation in the oral cavity. In tests, the formulation removed up to 93% of HPV in saliva and reduced the amount of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria, which are associated with poor cancer outcomes, by more than 99%.
The researchers also recorded a decrease in the level of Leptotrichia buccalis, a bacterium linked to precancerous conditions. At the same time, the beneficial oral microbiota was largely preserved, which distinguishes this approach from more aggressive treatments that disrupt microbial balance.
Every year, about 890,000 cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed worldwide. One of the risk factors is considered to be the combination of HPV and certain oral bacteria. Against this backdrop, the idea of a simple piece of gum seems almost paradoxical — but it is precisely such “simple” solutions that can sometimes prove to be the most accessible for mass prevention.
