Innovative Approaches to Combatting Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) remains one of the most challenging and debilitating iatrogenic complications in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. It is frequently associated with antiresorptive and antiangiogenic therapies, impaired bone metabolism, and local surgical or inflammatory triggers within the maxillofacial region.Its multifactorial pathogenesis and unpredictable clinical course present major challenges for management, often leading to significant functional and psychosocial impacts on patients’ quality of life. Despite increasing awareness, preventive and therapeutic approaches remain inconsistent, and evidence guiding clinical decision-making is fragmented. Understanding MRONJ within the broader context of oncology, oral medicine, and regenerative science is therefore essential to improving risk stratification, early diagnosis, and long-term outcomes.This Research Topic aims to gather cutting-edge research and multidisciplinary perspectives on innovative strategies for the prevention and management of MRONJ, aligning with the journal’s mission to advance patient care through translational and clinically relevant research.Key areas of interest include:- Mechanistic and translational studies addressing the roles of bone-modifying agents (BMAs) in MRONJ development and novel insights into osteoimmunology, angiogenesis, microbial dysbiosis, and bone remodelling pathways;- Diagnostic innovations, including advances in imaging and biomarker discovery;- Clinical management and preventive protocols, promoting integrated pathways across oncology, oral medicine, oral surgery, and supportive care;- Regenerative and pharmacologic strategies, encompassing regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and pharmacologic modulation of bone turnover or angiogenesis;- AI-driven Clinical Decision Support Systems, enabling precision risk assessment and optimisation of treatment planning.The Research Topic welcomes original research, systematic reviews, mini-reviews, clinical trials, and case series exploring basic, translational, and clinical dimensions of MRONJ. Submissions addressing innovative methodologies, data-driven approaches, and interdisciplinary collaboration are particularly encouraged.Authors are invited to discuss both established and emerging paradigms in MRONJ care, including preventive protocols in oncology, rheumatology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and other related and relevant areas, as well as patient-reported outcome measures, and ethical or policy considerations in balancing therapeutic benefits and MRONJ risks.By tracing the evolution of MRONJ knowledge, from its first descriptions to the present era of precision and regenerative medicine, this collection seeks to advance a predictive, preventive, and patient-centred framework for managing MRONJ and improving long-term outcomes Topic editors: Rui Amaral Mendes, Eduardo R Fregnani, Giuseppina Campisi, Martina Coppini Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77189/innovative-approaches-to-combatting-medication-related-osteonecrosis-of-the-jaw