University of Pennsylvania Apr 23 2026 Researchers led by Henry Daniell of the School of Dental Medicine have shown that extracts from bioengineered chewing gum reduce the levels of three microbes known to be associated with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC), paving the way for more effective and affordable therapies. Their findings are published in  Scientific Reports . Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer that develops in the lining of the mouth and throat.