Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a rare side effect of antiresorptive
drugs that significantly hinders the quality of life of affected patients. The disease
develops in the presence of a combination of factors. Important pathogenetic factors
include inflammation, inhibition of bone remodeling, or genetic predisposition. Since
the first description of this rare side effect in 2003, a growing body of data has
suggested a possible role for genetic factors in the disease. Several genes have been
suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of MRONJ such as SIRT1, VEGFA,
and CYP2C8. With the development of molecular biology, newer methods such as miRNA
and gene expression studies have been introduced in MRONJ, in addition to methods
that can examine the base sequence of the DNA. Describing the complex genetic background
of MRONJ can help further understand its pathophysiology as well as identify new therapeutic
targets to better manage this adverse drug reaction.
