Scientists Develop Bioengineered Chewing Gum That Could Help Fight Oral Cancer

Researchers developed a bioengineered chewing gum that sharply reduced HPV and harmful oral bacteria linked to head and neck cancers in lab tests.

The lablab bean-based gum carried an antiviral protein, and adding the antimicrobial peptide protegrin boosted its effect against oral microbes.

It greatly lowered human papillomavirus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum in saliva and oral samples while preserving beneficial bacteria.

The findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest a low-cost, accessible way to help prevent or complement treatment for infection-related oral cancers.