Development of a novel treatment for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw using zinc ions

• Project/Area Number: 18K17216
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57060:Surgical dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Yamagata University
• Principal Investigator: Hemmi Tomoharu 山形大学, 医学部, 客員研究員 (60811924)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2020)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,030,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥930,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
• Keywords: 薬剤関連顎骨壊死 / 歯肉線維芽細胞 / ビスホスホネート系製剤 / 機械的ストレス / 骨リモデリング / 粘膜上皮ターンオーバー / 口腔粘膜上皮

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The pathogenesis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw is unknown. In order to develop new treatments for the disease It is essential to elucidate the pathogenesis of it. In the present study, we investigated the effects of bisphosphonates and mechanical stress on gingival fibroblasts. As a result, it was confirmed that the disruptive effects of bisphosphonates on gingival fibroblasts were amplified by mechanical stress. This suggests that mechanical stress may be a factor in the organ-specific development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究はビスホスホネート系製剤および機械的ストレスが歯肉線維芽細胞に与える影響を調査することで、薬剤関連顎骨壊死の発症メカニズムを探ることを目的とした。有効な治療法が確立されていない同疾患の発症メカニズムを調査することは新規治療法の検討に繋がり、ひいては疾患で苦しむ患者への利益となりえる。