Serum VEGF levels as predictive marker of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Recent studies have been reported that angiogenesis suppression may play a role indeveloping bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (B-ONJ). According to theseevidence we evaluated the role of VEGF as predictive marker of B-ONJ onset. Of the 81patients, 6 developed B-ONJ following bisphosphonate treatment. These patients showed astrongest decrease in VEGF circulating levels at day 7 and at day 21 after the firstadministration. These data demonstrated for the first time that the anti-angiogenic propertiesof bisphosphonates are directly linked to B-ONJ pathogenesis and serum VEGF levels couldrepresent an effective early predictive marker.

via Journal of Hematology & Oncology