Immunomodulation of salivary gland function due to cancer therapy

Abstract

Functional salivary glands (SG) are essential for maintaining oral health, and salivary dysfunction is a persistent major clinical challenge. Several cancer therapies also have off‐target effects leading to SG dysfunction. Recent advances highlight the role of SG immune populations in homeostasis, dysfunction and gland regeneration. Here, we review what is known about SG immune populations during development and postnatal homeostasis. We summarize recent findings of immune cell involvement in SG dysfunction following cancer treatments such as irradiation (IR) for head and neck cancers, immune transplant leading to graft‐versus‐host‐disease (GVHD) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. The role of immune cells in SG in both homeostasis and disease, is an emerging field of research that may provide important clues to organ dysfunction and lead to novel therapeutic targets.