Lara Barazzuol

Keywords human cortical organoids neural progenitor cells paediatric neuro-oncology radiotherapy proton therapy Introduction Brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the most common type of solid tumors in children and young adolescents (Siegel et al., 2023). Despite the heterogeneity of tumor types, radiotherapy remains a primary treatment modality in the management of many pediatric brain tumors.

Highlights • Salivary gland organoids show increased senescence and accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria after irradiation. • Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with a decrease in mitochondrial fission and mitophagy. • Mitophagy activation attenuates senescence and improves organoid growth after irradiation. Abstract Patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer often experience a decline in their quality of life due to the co-irradiation of salivary glands.

Abstract Dysfunction of the salivary gland and irreversible hyposalivation are the main side effects of radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer leading to a drastic decrease of the quality of life of the patients. Approaches aimed at regenerating damaged salivary glands have been proposed as means to provide long-term restoration of tissue function in the affected patients.