Researchers from the UCLA School of Dentistry have been awarded nearly $2 million over five years from the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to study the progression of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) — a painful disease that affects the upper and lower jaws, where the bone experiences long-term exposure and delayed wound healing. The condition can even lead to the need for surgical removal of the affected area, severely compromising quality of life.
The study, led by Dr. Reuben Kim (photo above), associate professor in the divisions of restorative dentistry and oral biology and medicine, will explore the connection between ONJ and bisphosphonate and denosumab — drug therapies used to treat multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, and osteoporosis.
Co-investigators on the study are Dr. No-Hee Park, dean of the School of Dentistry; Dr. Mo Kang, professor and chairman of the section of endodontics; and Dr. Ki-Hyuk Shin, associate adjunct professor in the section of oral biology.
