Osteonecrosis of the Jaws in Patients Receiving Anti-Angiogenic Drugs and Chemotherapeutics: Literature Review and Case Reports

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a relatively rare but serious pathology associated with the use of bisphosphonates (BPs) and antiresorptive drugs in patients with bone metastases, multiple myeloma and osteoporosis. Various cases of patients with jaw bone necrosis due to BPs have recently been reported in the literature. Anti-angiogenic drugs are novel anticancer agents prescribed to patients with renal carcinoma, lung carcinoma, soft tissue metastases, etc. Anti-angiogenic drugs target the vascular endothelial growth factor’s (VEGF) signaling pathways via different mechanisms and thus inhibit tumor cell proliferation, neoangiogenesis and tumor growth. Several reports have suggested a higher incidence of MRONJ in patients treated with BPs in combination with anti-angiogenic drugs. However, there is currently no sufficient data in the literature about the risk of ONJ in patients taking anti-angiogenic drugs or cancer chemotherapy alone. We present two clinical cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients treated with chemotherapy, but no history of BPs. In the first case the necrosis is related to the anti-angiogenic agent sunitinib in a patient with lung metastases and in the second case- to complex chemotherapy in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia. We recommend conservative treatment with antibiotics in both cases, together with antiseptics and surgical removal of the necrotic bone following total demarcation of the sequesters.