Could a food preservative help fight oral cancer?

NCT ID NCT06097468

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether nisin, a natural preservative found in some foods, can safely change the bacteria in the mouths of people with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. About 40 patients will take nisin before and after their standard surgery. The goal is to find a safe dose and see if it affects the mouth's microbiome.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Nisin (a natural food preservative)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to improve outcomes for oral cancer patients by altering mouth bacteria.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small trial (40 people) testing safety and dosing. It may not show any benefit, and nisin might cause side effects or fail to change bacteria meaningfully.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ORAL CAVITY SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

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Locations

University of California, San Francisco
RECRUITING

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States

Contact Email: •••••@•••••

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