Cancer-fighting chewing gum cuts HPV levels by up to 93%
Bioengineered chewing gum may offer a way to fight microbes linked to cancers
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a bioengineered chewing gum that dramatically reduces microbes linked to head and neck cancer. In tests on patient samples, the gum cut HPV levels by up to 93% and nearly eliminated two cancer-associated bacteria, while preserving beneficial oral microbes. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest a potential new, affordable adjunct to existing cancer therapies.
The global increase in oropharyngeal cancer is linked to HPV infection, and Pg and Fn infections worsen survival rates of untreated recurrent or metastatic oral cancer, even after surgery and risk-adjusted adjuvant therapies.
- wxw
Tangentially related, apparently xylitol gum can reduce cavity risk by killing off bacteria (which cannot digest but cannot differentiate xylitol from regular sugar) in the mouth.
- noisy_boy
Alternative form of delivery required for Singapore.
- kybishop
I'm just over here wondering how/where/when I can buy this
- colordrops
Aren't all gum based basically plastic? Including natural ones? So chewing any gum is just going to fill your body with microplastics right? I wonder if the risk offset is worth it.
- VladVladikoff
I wonder if chewing mastic would be as effective?