Researchers have developed a bioengineered chewing gum designed to combat microbes associated with head and neck cancer. In tests using oral samples, extracts from the gum significantly reduced levels of human papillomavirus (HPV) and two bacteria, *Porphyromonas gingivalis* (Pg) and *Fusobacterium nucleatum* (Fn), all linked to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Led by Henry Daniell at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine, the study utilized a gum made from lablab beans containing the antiviral protein FRIL. Further engineering incorporated protegrin, an antimicrobial peptide, which drastically lowered Pg and Fn levels without harming beneficial oral bacteria. This contrasts with radiation therapy, which can disrupt the oral microbiome. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest the gum could offer a more accessible and affordable adjunct therapy or preventive measure against infection and transmission.

Daniell highlighted the growing incidence of oropharyngeal cancer, often linked to HPV, and how Pg and Fn infections worsen survival rates. The potential of this bioengineered gum to target harmful microbes while preserving healthy ones could make it a valuable addition to current cancer treatment strategies, potentially advancing to clinical trials.