**3. Radiation-induced damage prevention and potential regeneration of salivary glands**

Understanding the underlying mechanisms governing cellular and molecular control of salivary gland function is highly pertinent, during- and post-RT, to aid in developing suitable and effective therapies, whether preventive or reparative. To date, it is safe to state that available therapies continue to be symptomatic and no definitive solution or approach has been shown to compensate and/or recover the impairment of salivary glands and function. Life-style modifications, synthetic saliva and/or use of salivary stimulants and sialagogues, suffer shortcomings and are not satisfactory to our patients, as they either only provide temporary (shortterm) relief or might have other disquieting side-effects. Hence, global attention has been diverted to seek and develop alternative novel methods, tools and therapies, to offer to HNC patients undergoing RT, that can provide superior long-term efficacy. Herein, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, pharmaceutics and nanotechnology may contribute.
