According to a group of Finnish researchers, the carcinogenic damage caused by alcohol and smoking to the mouth, pharynx and esophagus can be accounted for in part, by the exposure of these organs to high concentrations of acetaldehyde. According to previously published studies, the acetaldehyde accumulation in the upper digestive tract seems to be a cumulative result of the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde by the gut flora, and the genetic inability of some people to synthesize an enzyme to get rid of the acetaldehyde. Since it has been known that the amino acid l-cysteine can bind to acetaldehyde and thereby eliminate its toxicity, scientists have developed l-cysteine products that could neutralize acetaldehyde and help prevent digestive tract cancers.

The first two preparations were slowly l-cysteine releasing tablets that effectively eliminated acetaldehyde derived to the mouth and saliva either after a challenge of alcohol or during smoking. "We know that with this chewing gum it is possible to eliminate acetaldehyde totally from the saliva during smoking. We do hope that this will in the future turn out to be a novel method for the prevention of alcohol and tobacco smoking associated oral cancers. However, long term randomised controlled trials are naturally needed before the possible cancer preventive effects can be proved. We are currently planning that type of studies."

The patents to the methods developed is licensed to Finnish company Biohit Oyj. The first commercial product, the l-cysteine containing chewing gum, was launched last week at the 11th International Congress of Oral Cancer.

Read more details from Science Daily: Cysteine Containing Chewing Gum For The Prevention Of Upper Digestive Tract Cancers?