Long-Term Maintenance of Acinar Cells in Human Submandibular Glands After Radiation Therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

In a combined retrospective and prospective study, human salivary glands were investigated after radiation treatment for head and neck cancers. The aim was to assess acinar cell loss and morphologic changes after radiation therapy and to determine whether irradiated salivary glands have regenerative potential.

Methods and materials

Irradiated human submandibular and parotid salivary glands were collected from 16 patients at a range of time intervals after completion of radiation therapy (RT). Control samples were collected from 14 patients who had not received radiation treatments. Tissue sections were analyzed using immunohistochemistry to stain for molecular markers.

Results

Human submandibular and parotid glands isolated less than 1 year after RT showed a n

SUBMITTER: Luitje ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8061234 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature