Parotid gland stem cell sparing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) frequently leads to salivary gland damage and subsequent xerostomia. The radiation response of parotid glands of rats, mice, and patients critically depends on dose to its stem cells, mainly located in the gland's main ducts (stem cell rich (SCR) region). Therefore, this double-blind randomized controlled trial aimed to test the hypothesis that parotid gland stem cell sparing radiotherapy preserves parotid gland function better than currently-used whole parotid gland sparing radiotherapy.

Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics - September 23, 2021 Category: Radiology Authors: Roel J.H.M. Steenbakkers, Maria I. van Rijn – Dekker, Monique A. Stokman, Roel G.J. Kierkels, Arjen van der Schaaf, Johanna G.M. van den Hoek, Hendrik P. Bijl, Maria C.A. Kramer, Rob P. Coppes, Johannes A. Langendijk, Peter van Luijk Tags: Clinical Investigation Source Type: research