What the trial found
A specially engineered chewing gum has cut levels of human papillomavirus, or HPV, in the mouth by up to 93 percent, according to new research. In the same trial, the gum nearly eliminated two types of bacteria that are linked to head and neck cancer. The results were reported this week and have drawn attention from cancer researchers.
The study involved people with detectable HPV in their saliva. Participants chewed the gum on a regular schedule over the course of the trial. Saliva samples taken at the end showed a sharp drop in viral levels, and in many cases the cancer-linked bacteria all but disappeared.
Why the mouth matters
HPV is the most common cause of oral cancers, including cancers of the throat and tonsils. The virus spreads through close contact, and most adults carry it at some point. In most people the immune system clears the infection on its own, but in some cases the virus persists and can lead to cancer years later.
Current options for people with persistent oral HPV are limited. There is no approved drug that directly treats the infection in the mouth. Doctors mostly recommend monitoring and healthy habits. A simple product like chewing gum, if it works in larger trials, could give people an easy way to lower their risk at home.
Next steps
The researchers said the gum appeared to be safe and that it preserved the beneficial bacteria that keep the mouth healthy. That matters, because harsh treatments can wipe out good microbes along with the bad ones.
The trial was small, and the results have not yet been confirmed in larger groups. The team plans bigger studies to test how well the gum works over longer periods and in different populations. If those trials succeed, the gum could become a low-cost prevention tool, especially in regions where access to clinics and vaccines is limited.