Purpose
To analyze serum markers of bone turnover, angiogenesis, endocrine function, and inflammation in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) patients who discontinued long-term intravenous bisphosphonate (BP) therapy.
Patients and Methods
Serum samples were obtained from 25 BRONJ patients who had discontinued long-term intravenous BP therapy for an average of 11.4±8.7 months and 48 non-BRONJ controls who continued receiving intravenous BP therapy. Samples were analyzed for total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OCN), C-telopeptide (CTX), vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Results
The mean number of BP infusions was significantly higher in BRONJ subjects compared with controls (38.4±26.3 infusions vs 18.8±7.2, p<0.0001); however, the duration of BP therapy was not significantly different between the groups (p=0.23). Overall, there were no significant differences in any of the markers between BRONJ subjects and controls (all p values ≥ 0.16). In a subgroup analysis that matched BRONJ subjects and controls according to mean age and BP infusions (BRONJ, n=10 and controls, n=48), log10VEGF (2.9±0.4 vs 2.4±0.4, p=<0.001) and CRP (34±26 vs 13±8, p=<0.01) levels were significantly higher in BRONJ subjects compared with controls. Within BRONJ subjects, none of the serum markers were correlated with duration of BP discontinuation.
Conclusions
Bone turnover and endocrine markers in BRONJ subjects who discontinue long-term intravenous BP therapy are similar to non-BRONJ controls receiving intravenous BP therapy. However, angiogenesis and inflammation markers are higher in BRONJ subjects who discontinue long-term intravenous BP therapy. The prolonged skeletal half-life of BPs may suppress bone turnover markers in BRONJ subjects for several years following discontinuation of intravenous BP therapy, suggesting an extended effect on bone homeostasis.