Randomized Controlled Trial of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Patients Who Have Taken Bisphosphonates

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has recently been recognized as associated with bisphosphonate (BP) therapy, however there is little information on the natural history, treatment or prevention strategies for this condition1. Bisphosphonates, particularly compounds containing an aliphatic chain with an amino group in the R2 position, (pamidronate, alendronate and zoledronate) are extremely effective and widely used in the treatment of breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and non-malignant bone disease. Although ONJ appears to develop in less than one percent of patients taking these drugs, the seriousness of the disease plus the current lack of treatment options makes this a very difficult clinical problem This study will randomize 35 out of 70 patients to receive HBO in addition to their routine oral surgery therapy for ONJ and follow both groups over a 2-year period. The study design is an interventional, prospective, randomized trial with a 2-year follow up period. Seventy subjects meeting the inclusion criteria for ONJ will be recruited by participating physicians and randomized to receive 40 HBO treatments over a 4 week period or to continue their normal oral care. No subject, HBO treated or not, will be asked to change, initiate or discontinue any ongoing therapies they may be receiving from their primary care giver for ONJ or any other medical condition. The analysis will compare remission rates between the two groups while controlling for age, gender, race, previous local trauma or surgery, tumor type, diabetes, immunosuppression, bisphosphonate duration, indication (hypercalcemia), infection, corticosteroids, and thalidomide and dental hygiene. All subjects will be closely followed throughout the 24 month course of the study with weekly contacts by phone or email to log jaw pain level as well as to record any change in general medical condition. The 17 question Duke Health Profile will be used to measure quality of life indicators at 4 key points during the study.

Comparison(s): 1) clinical remission rate in patients receiving and not receiving HBO. 2) Bone turnover and molecular measures of osteoclast signaling in ONJ patients before and after HBO and relative to non-diseased controls (labs from non-diseased controls to be obtained from a companion study).

Inclusion criteria

• Able to consent
• Meets definition of ONJ
• Has taken amino-bisphosphonates

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to consent
• Ineligible for HBO
• Taking protease inhibitors for HIV
• Any past history of radiation to head or neck
• Life expectancy less than 12 months
• Tobacco use