[laetetia]

Genes affecting likelihood of neuropathy, ONJ

by laetetia on Thu May 26, 2011 9:36 pm

I read that they have identified 5 genes that make the likelihood of a patient suffering from osteonecrosis of the jaw as a result of bisphosphonate treatments greater. They have also identified genes that make certain people more likely to suffer from neuropathy.
I was wondering if they were the same genes that were identified for both? My husband suffered very badly from ONJ and last half of his lower jaw to it before he refused to let them cut off any more bone. His doctor now wants him to start of thalidomide at 100 mg a day. He is wondering if because he developed severe ONJ if he is then more likely to develop PN as well.

[Beacon Staff]

Re: Genes affecting likelihood of neuropathy, ONJ

by Beacon Staff on Fri May 27, 2011 10:27 am

Hi Laetetia,

The genes that have been linked to osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and thalidomide-induced peripheral neuropathy are the following:

ONJ:
COL1A1 (rs1800012)
RANK (rs12458117)
MMP2 (rs243865)
OPG (rs2073618)
OPN (rs11730582)
For more info: https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2011/04/29/researchers-identify-factors-that-may-put-multiple-myeloma-patients-at-higher-risk-for-osteonecrosis-of-the-jaw/

Thalidomide-induced peripheral neuropathy:
ABCA1 (rs363717)
ICAM1 (rs1799969)
PPARD (rs2076169)
SERPINB2 (rs6103)
SLC12A6 (rs7164902).
Several of these genes are involved in repairing nerves or controlling inflammation in the peripheral nervous system.
For more info: https://myelomabeacon.org/news/2011/02/16/variations-in-nervous-system-genes-may-put-multiple-myeloma-patients-at-higher-risk-for-thalidomide-related-neuropathy/

We'll leave it to Dr. Siegel to provide more comment.

[Dr. David Siegel]

Re: Genes affecting likelihood of neuropathy, ONJ

by Dr. David Siegel on Fri May 27, 2011 8:46 pm

As far as I am aware, there is no known relationship between PN and ONJ. Having said that, the incidence of PN with thalidomide is fairly high. 100mg is not a huge dose but you need to be careful nonetheless. The difference is that with ONJ you don't know it is an issue until it is too late. With thalidomide, you can hold the drug if you begin to note PN. Just be careful.