Bioengineered chewing gum cuts HPV and harmful oral bacteria, while sparing good microbes

Researchers developed a bioengineered chewing gum containing antiviral FRIL and the antimicrobial peptide protegrin that, in ex vivo tests on patient saliva, reduced HPV levels by up to 93% and nearly eliminated two cancer-associated bacteria (Pg and Fn) while preserving beneficial oral bacteria. The gum could serve as an affordable adjunct or preventive therapy to current head and neck cancer treatments, potentially lowering infection risk without disturbing the healthy oral microbiome.