title: Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for salivary gland dysfunction and xerostomia: a systematic review of preclinical studies.
abstract: The most severe forms of xerostomia and salivary gland dysfunction, as well as a severely reduced quality of life, are seen in Sjögren syndrome (SS) and after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. For both conditions, no effective regenerative therapies yet exist. Thus, the aim of this article was to assess, through systematic review, the potential benefit of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in radiation-induced and SS-related salivary gland dysfunction and xerostomia. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the World Health Organization Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and Google Scholar. We identified 6 separate study comparisons eligible for inclusion. Owing to the limited number of studies, we conclude that more randomized, adequately powered clinical trials are needed to validate the potential beneficial effect of MSCs on salivary gland dysfunction and xerostomia. Nonetheless, the preliminary studies identified in the present review were encouraging for further research.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: david.hebbelstrup.jensen@regionh.dk.
authors: David Hebbelstrup
authors: DH
authors: Jensen
authors: Cell Therapy Facility, Blood Bank, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Roberto Stefan
authors: RS
authors: Oliveri
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, Breast Surgery & Burns, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Stig-Frederik
authors: SF
authors: Trojahn Kølle
authors: Cell Therapy Facility, Blood Bank, Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Fischer-Nielsen
authors: Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Lena
authors: L
authors: Specht
authors: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Allan
authors: A
authors: Bardow
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery and Audiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Buchwald
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*