title: A closer look at strategies for preserving salivary gland function after radiotherapy in the head and neck region.
abstract: Radiation-induced damage to the salivary glands remains a major complication of using radiation therapy to treat head and neck cancer, and it has led a wide range of research attempting to resolve the problem. From this perspective, we sought to briefly discuss relevant and timely approaches aimed at protecting or regenerating irradiated salivary glands, thereby preventing the development of salivary hypofunction or rescuing the functional properties of damaged glands. Such findings include molecular, cell, tissue, organ, and drug-based therapies.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Federal University of Maranhão, Praça Gonçalves Dias, 21, Centro, São Luís, MA 65020-240, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonardo Victor
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Galvão-Moreira
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Av. Lineu Prestes, 2227, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thalita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry II, Federal University of Maranhão, Av. dos Portugueses, 1966, Bacanga, São Luís, MA 65085-580, Brazil. Electronic address: ma.carmen@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Maria Carmen Fontoura Nogueira
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: da Cruz
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Cell- and tissue-based therapy; Drug therapy; Head and neck cancer; Radiation effects; Radiation protection; Radiotherapy; Regeneration; Salivary glands; Salivation; Xerostomia