Race as a risk factor for developing osteonecrosis of the jaw after long term bisphosphonate therapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Aiti, T.; McDunn, S.; Hussein, L.; Ashkenazi, I.; Jajeh, A.; Wang, Y.; Zaren, H.A.
Journal of Clinical Oncology 24(18_Suppl): 596-596
2016
ISSN/ISBN: 0732-183X
PMID: 27953738
Accession: 058683246
NlmCategory="UNASSIGNED">596 Background: Association between osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and bisphosphonate treatment has been increasingly reported in the literature. This is a retrospective review of a single institution's experience with patients diagnosed with bone metastasis secondary to breast cancer, who developed ONJ while treated with bisphosphonates (Zoledronic acid - Zometa; Pamidronate - Aredia), between 1.1.2001 and 10.30.2005. Presentation, age, race, and outcome were reviewed. Logistic Regression was used to test for statistical significance. 161 patients with bone metastasis secondary to breast cancer treated with bisphosphonates were reviewed (82 African American, 29 Caucasians, 26 Hispanic, 15 Asian and 9 others.). ONJ developed in 6 (3.7%) patients, 5 of which were Caucasians. Logistic regression adjusting for dose shows that the odds ratio for developing ONJ comparing Caucasians with non-Caucasians is 45.7 (p=0.016). Age did not impact occurrence of ONJ. All 6 patients developed ONJ after a minimum of 31 months of treatment. Two patients had a history of previous tooth extraction. In four other patients, ONJ appeared spontaneously. One patient, who presented with an abscess, developed sepsis which resulted in the patient's death. Two patients were treated with debridement and antibiotics and their lesions healed. Three other patients ended up suffering from a chronically exposed bone. ONJ is a serious complication of bisphosphonate therapy and it affected a significant proportion of our patients. Our data suggests that Caucasians may be more susceptible. Since sample size is small, determining if race is a risk factor for the development of ONJ, while on bisphosphonate therapy, will require further investigation. No significant financial relationships to disclose.