Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Transplant. Jun 18, 2026; 16(2): 117675
Published online Jun 18, 2026. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v16.i2.117675
Published online Jun 18, 2026. doi: 10.5500/wjt.v16.i2.117675
Stem cell transplantation in head and neck oncology: Integrating oncologic treatment and maxillofacial reconstruction
Marco Zeppieri, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, Udine 33100, Italy
Marco Zeppieri, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste 34129, Italy
Matteo Capobianco, Eye Clinic, Policlinico G. Rodolico, University of Catania, Catania 95121, Italy
Matteo Capobianco, Faculty of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
Federico Visalli, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
Marieme Khouyyi, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina 98121, Italy
Caterina Gagliano, Francesco Cappellani, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, Enna 94100, Italy
Caterina Gagliano, Francesco Cappellani, Eye Center, “G.B. Morgagni-DSV”, Catania 95125, Italy
Massimo Robiony, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine 33100, Italy
Alessandro Tel, Luca Michelutti, Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Head-Neck and Neurosciences, University Hospital of Udine, Udine 33100, Italy
Author contributions: Zeppieri M, Gagliano C, Tel A, Michelutti L and Cappellani F wrote the outline; Zeppieri M, Capobianco M, Tel A, Michelutti L and Cappellani F did the research and writing of the manuscript; Zeppieri M, Capobianco M, Visalli F, Khouyyi M, Gagliano C, and Cappellani F assisted in the writing of the paper; Zeppieri M was responsible for the conception and design of the study and completed the English and scientific editing; Zeppieri M, Capobianco M, Visalli F, Khouyyi M, Gagliano C, Tel A, Michelutti L and Cappellani F assisted in the editing and making critical revisions of the manuscript. All authors provided the final approval of the article.
AI contribution statement: ChatGPT (OpenAI, GPT-5.3) and Grammarly were used to assist with summarizing existing literature, addressing issues in the rebuttal, and enhancing the flow and English language quality. No AI-generated images were used.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Marco Zeppieri, Consultant, MD, PhD, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, p. le S. Maria della Misericordia 15, Udine 33100, Italy.
Received: December 15, 2025
Revised: January 10, 2026
Accepted: March 5, 2026
Published online: June 18, 2026
Processing time: 167 Days and 23.9 Hours
Revised: January 10, 2026
Accepted: March 5, 2026
Published online: June 18, 2026
Processing time: 167 Days and 23.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Stem cell transplantation in head and neck oncology signifies a promising advancement that integrates cancer treatment with regenerative reconstruction. Clinicians want to restore form and function after oncologic excision by utilizing the biological plasticity of stem cells, while avoiding consequences. The subject includes innovative methods in bone and soft tissue regeneration, immunomodulation, and integration with surgical reconstruction, presenting the possibility of transforming traditional cancer treatment into a holistic, restorative, and patient-focused strategy.