Clinical values of serum Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

BackgroundBisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used in clinical practice to prevent and treat bone metabolism-related diseases. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is one of the major sequelae of BPs use. Early prediction and intervention of MRONJ are of great significance.MethodsNinety-seven patients currently on treatment with BPs or with a history of BPs usage and 45 healthy volunteers undergoing dentoalveolar surgery were included in this study. Participants' serum Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) levels were measured and analyzed before participants underwent surgery (T0) and after a 12-month follow-up (T1). Kruskal-Wallis test and ROC analysis were used to examine the predictive effect of Sema4D on MRONJ.ResultsSema4D levels in serum of patients corresponding to confirmed MRONJ were significantly lower at both T0 and T1 time points compared to non-MRONJ and healthy controls. Sema4D has a statistically predictive effect on the occurrence and diagnosis of MRONJ. Serum Sema4D levels were significantly reduced in MRONJ class 3 patients. MRONJ patients who received intravenous BPs had significantly lower Sema4D levels than those who received oral BPs.ConclusionSerum Sema4D level has predictive value for the onset of MRONJ in BPs users within 12 weeks after dentoalveolar surgery.

Automated summary

This study found that serum Sema4D levels have predictive value for the occurrence and diagnosis of MRONJ in BPs users. The mode of treatment for MRONJ (oral or intravenous BPs) affects the extent of decrease in Sema4D levels.