Clinical Research Directory

Fibrous Dysplasia: An Epidemiological and Correlational Evaluation of Multimodal Data

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign, pseudotumoral, genetic but non-hereditary condition characterized by the presence of one or more areas of abnormal bone development in which the normal structure is replaced by fibrous tissue. It is an extremely heterogeneous condition, as it can be monostotic, polyostotic, or panostotic, or it may occur within the context of more complex syndromes such as McCune-Albright syndrome (in which polyostotic fibrous dysplasia is associated with café-au-lait spots and precocious puberty) or Mazabraud syndrome (in which intramuscular myxomas are present). This condition is caused by post-zygotic missense mutations, so it is never hereditary, and the affected individual will constitute a so-called "genetic mosaic," a fact that explains the wide variability in the localization of the pathological areas. The mutations in question occur in a gene (GNAS) located on chromosome 20 (20q13.2-13.3); this gene encodes a G protein with GTPase activity, the function of which is consequently impaired. The aim of this study is to evaluate in detail the characteristics of the patients, their hospitalizations, and related interventions. Given the rarity of the condition, such investigations are often conducted on very limited datasets. The present study is expected to include over 200 patients, providing a comprehensive picture. An additional aim is to assess the impact of somatic mutations in the GNAS gene and their impact in terms of clinical manifestations.

Fibrous Dysplasia, McCune-Albright Syndrome Patient Registry

The FD/MAS Patient Registry is an IRB-approved research study that that invites the patients and families to help answer some of the biggest questions about FD/MAS by completing questionnaires about their lives with FD or MAS. Have you enrolled in the FD/MAS Patient Registry yet? Are you up-to-date on your surveys? Take a trip to www.fdmasregistry.org today to learn more about the project, enroll, complete your surveys, or make sure you aren't due to provide more info! The FD/MAS Patient Registry: Your story powers research.

DEnosumab for the Treatment of FIbrous Dysplasia/McCune-Albright Syndrome in Adults (DeFiD)

Fibrous Dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome (FD/MAS) is a rare disease, consisting of the replacement of normal bone tissue with fibrous tissue. FD lesions may be isolated in one or more bones or may be associated with endocrinopathies in McCune-Albright syndrome. Bone lesions constitute of weak bone tissue, leading to higher risk of fractures, pain and decreased quality of life. There is no cure for FD lesions and current therapies failed to soothe patients' complaints or to display any effect on progression of the lesions on imaging. However, the RANKL-inhibitor Denosumab demonstrated encouraging results in mouse models and in off-label clinical use, leading to clinical, biochemical and radiographical improvements. Study's aim is to investigate whether 3-monthly Denosumab will improve the clinical, radiological and biochemical manifestations of FD bone lesions.