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Antiresorptive drugs, which reduce bone breakdown, are an important part of treatment for breast cancer that has spread to the bones. However, their use can be associated with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), a condition in which bone tissue in the jaw dies. In a Finnish registry study, osteonecrosis of the jaw was diagnosed in 12.6% of patients treated with denosumab during long-term follow-up.

A nationwide registry study conducted by researchers at the University of Oulu has, for the first time in Finland, investigated how common medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is among patients with breast cancer that has spread to the bones and which factors are associated with the condition. All patients included in the study were receiving antiresorptive treatment.

During follow-up, osteonecrosis of the jaw was diagnosed in 12.6% of patients treated with denosumab alone. Among patients who had initially received bisphosphonates before switching to denosumab, the corresponding figure was 15.3%. The condition was diagnosed in a small proportion of patients treated with bisphosphonates alone.

Antiresorptive drugs are used, among other purposes, to prevent skeletal complications caused by breast cancer that has spread to the bones. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a recognized adverse effect of these medications, but its incidence among Finnish breast cancer patients had not previously been investigated.

The study also found associations between dental procedures related to oral infections and osteonecrosis of the jaw.

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