Abstract
Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious adverse effect of bone-modifying agents. The aim of this study was to elucidate the pathogenesis of MRONJ through a comprehensive comparison of bone-metabolism-related factors in sera from patients with MRONJ and healthy controls. Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional biobank analysis in which 31 patients in a non-MRONJ group and 10 patients in an MRONJ group were screened. Serum levels of 13 proteins (i.e., hormones, growth factors, and cytokines) related to bone metabolism were measured by simultaneous multi-parameter analysis using bead-based immunoassays. Results: The MRONJ group displayed suppressed bone metabolism with a background of chronic inflammation. In addition, a significant decrease in the expression of alkaline phosphatase liver/bone/kidney (p < 0.05, effect size of 0.46 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.73)) and a significant increase (p < 0.05, effect size was −0.42 (95%CI: −0.72 to 0.01)) in the expression of tumor necrosis factor α were observed in the MRONJ group. Conclusions: These results may contribute to a better understanding of the etiology, pathophysiology, and progression of MRONJ.