[Oral bisphosphonates, denosumab and osteonecrosis of the jaws]

Osteonecrosis of the jaw induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (Denosumab) - Review

BACKGROUND

Denosumab, an anti-resorptive agent, IgG2 monoclonal antibody for human Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL), has been related to the occurrence of osteonecrosis of the jaws. Thus, the aim of this study was to review the literature from clinical case reports, regarding the type of patient and the therapeutic approach used for osteonecrosis of the jaws induced by chronic use of Denosumab.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For this, a literature review was performed on PubMed, Medline and Cochrane databases, using the keywords "Denosumab" "anti-RANK ligand" and "Osteonecrosis of jaw". To be included, articles should be a report or a serie of clinical cases, describing patients aged 18 years or over who used denosumab therapy and have received any therapy for ONJ.

RESULTS

Thirteen complete articles were selected for this review, totaling 17 clinical cases. The majority of ONJ cases, patients receiving Denosumab as treatment for osteoporosis and prostate cancer therapy. In most cases, patients affected by ONJ were women aged 60 or over and posterior mandible area was the main site of involvement. Diabetes pre-treatment with bisphosphonates and exodontia were the most often risk factors related to the occurrence of this condition. Systemic and local antibiotic therapy with or without surgical debridement was the most used treatment for ONJ resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that the highest number of ONJ cases caused by the use of anti-RANKL agents occurred in female patients, aged 60 years or older, under treatment for osteoporosis and cancer metastasis, and the most affected region was the mandible posterior.

Denosumab-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: successful management with a conservative surgical approach

Denosumab-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (DRONJ) is a recently described entity that shares many common clinical and radiological features with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). The aim of the present study is to report a case of DRONJ affecting the anterior mandible of a 58-year-old male treated with denosumab to prevent skeletal-related events associated with prostate cancer. Conservative surgery in conjunction with antibiotic therapy and discontinuation of denosumab use were effective in managing the condition and the patient remains free of clinical and radiological changes after a 38 month follow-up.