Abstract
Radiation therapy is a common treatment for head and neck cancers. However, because of the presence of nerve structures (brain stem, spinal cord, and brachial plexus), salivary glands (SGs), mucous membranes, and swallowing muscles in the head and neck regions, radiotherapy inevitably causes damage to these normal tissues. Among them, SG injury is a serious adverse event, and its clinical manifestations include changes in taste, difficulty chewing and swallowing, oral infections, and dental caries. These clinical symptoms seriously reduce a patient’s quality of life. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanism of SG injury caused by radiotherapy. Although the mechanism of radiation-induced SG injury has not yet been determined, recent studies have shown that the mechanisms of calcium signaling, microvascular injury, cellular senescence, and apoptosis are closely related to oxidative stress. In this article, we review the mechanism by which radiotherapy causes oxidative stress and damages the SGs. In addition, we discuss effective methods to prevent and treat radiation-induced SG damage.
Highlights
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 3% of all cancers, with approximately 900,000 new cases and half a million deaths annually [1]
This phenomenon is observed in the acinar cells of the submandibular glands of TRPM2+/+ mice in the early stage after irradiation, but it does not occur in the acinar cells of TRPM2−/− mice [30]
The apoptosis of epithelial cells reduces the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophic factor, and nerve growth factor, which directly causes the downregulation of parasympathetic nerve function
Summary
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 3% of all cancers, with approximately 900,000 new cases and half a million deaths annually [1]. The radiation (IR)-based approach is well-established as a standard therapy for functional preservation in patients with HNC [2]. More than 50% of patients who undergo radiotherapy involving major SGs experience the perception of hyposalivation, termed IRinduced xerostomia [4]. Xerostomia is one of the most detrimental long-term side effects of multimodal therapy in patients with locally advanced HNC [5]. Radiotherapy significantly increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thereby inducing oxidative stress in SGs [7]. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the calcium signaling of SG and microvascular damage. Antioxidants 2021, 10, 1666 mechanism of IR-induced SG damage through oxidative stress, summarize how to improve the secretory function of SGs, and propose some suggestions for future research
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
