title: The role of stem cells in the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer.
abstract: Xerostomia is an important complication following radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer. Current treatment approaches are insufficient and can only temporarily relieve symptoms. New insights into the physiopathology of radiation-induced xerostomia might help us in this regard. This review discusses the current knowledge of salivary gland stem cells in radiation-induced xerostomia and their value in the prevention and treatment of this complication. Salivary gland stem cell transplantation, bone marrow-derived cell mobilization, molecular regulation of parotid stem cells, stem cell sparing RT, and adaptive RT are promising techniques that are discussed in this study.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven and Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Daan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nevens
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, University Hospitals Leuven and Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nuyts
mesh_terms: D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Parotid gland; radiotherapy; salivary gland hypofunction; salivary gland stem cell; xerostomia