Identifying mechanisms that modulate the expression or function of proteins which aid in fibrosis resolution (i. e., matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) [88–90]) in the murine duct-ligated SMG could help develop strategies to reduce salivary gland fibrosis in humans that occurs in chronic obstructive sialadenitis or following radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. This evidence concerns the gene HGF and head and neck cancer.