MRONJ Flashcards
What are the drug classes associated with MRONJ? What are the drugs in each class?
Anti-resorbatives
- bisphosphonates
- denosumab
Antiangiogenics
- sunitinib
- sorafenib
- bevacizumab
- sirolimus
What are the drugs associated with bisphosphonates?
IV preparations
- pamidronate (Aredia)
- zoledronate acid (Zometa)
- Reclast
Oral preparations
- alendronate (Fosamax)
- risedronate (Actonel)
- ibandronate (Boniva)
Describe the mechanism of bisphosphonates
The targets of bisphosphonates are osteoclasts – it’s goal is to stop bone resorption. BP attaches to exposed hydroxyapatite and osteoclasts take up the BP along with other products like calcium, phosphate, matrix. Nitrogen containing BP such as alendronate (Fosamax) and Risedronate (Actonel) leads to disruption of ruffled border –> inactivation –> detachment. Eventual osteoblasts activity makes the BP inert and inaccessible to osteoclasts.
What is the difference between oral and IV BP in their use?
Oral is almost always for osteoporosis
IV is mostly for cancer (metastatic deposits that occur in bone)
**However, Reclast (IV) is for osteoporosis
What is the most common BP for cancer?
Zoledronic acid (Zometa)
How are osteoclasts activated?
In response to growth factors and cytokines the osteoblasts produce RANKL which binds to osteoclast precursors which express RANK –> osteoclasts.
Osteoblasts can also dampen this pathway through the production of osteoprotegerin which binds RANKL and prevents binding to osteoclast precursor.
This is why imbalances in RANKL:OPG in conditions that are hormone deficient such as post-menopause, osteoporosis, or cancer causes bone loss.
How does denosumab work?
Denosumab has the same structure as OPG – thus, able to bind RANKL and dampen the process of osteoclast formation
What is more potent, pamidronate (Aredia) or zoledronic acid (Zometa)?
Zoledronic acid (Zometa) is far more potent than pamidronate (Aredia). Denosumab is also very potent
Explain how anti-angiogenic medications work
Angiogenesis inhibitors interfere with the formation of new blood vessels by binding to various signaling molecules which disrupt the angiogenesis-signaling cascade
Tell me about sunitinib (sutent)
It is an anti-angiogenic drug that is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
It is useful against GIST, RCC, pNET
Tell me about sorafenib (Nexavar)
It is an anti-angiogenic drug that acts as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor
It is useful against HCC, RCC
Tell me about Bevacizumab (Avastin)
It is an anti-angiogenic drug that is a humanized monoclonal antibody.
It is useful against mCRC, NSCLC, Glio, mRCC
Tell me about Sirolimus (Rapamune)
It is an anti-angiogenic drug that is a mammalian target of rapamycin pathway
It is useful for organ rejection in renal transplants
Which two anti-angiogenic drugs have a risk for ONJ
Bevacizumab and sunitinib
What is the criteria for MRONJ diagnosis?
- History of BP/DB/AA therapy
- No history of XRT to maxillofacial region or malignant disease of jaws
- Exposed bone or bone that can be probed – occurred spontaneously or following dentoalveolar surgery
- No evidence of healing for more than 8 weeks following appropriate care
Which types of bisphosphonates are at an increased risk for MRONJ?
IV BP have an increased risk for MRONJ vs. oral BP
If a patient is taking BPs, what are the associated risks?
- Dental extractions (9x more likely) (DA surgery)
- Duration of BP therapy
- Anti-resorptive (zoledronate/denosumab > pamidronate > AA)