Anti-tumor chemotherapeutic agents induce developmental disorders of tooth germ

Abstract Multi-chemotherapies for adrenal neuroblastomas have resulted in complete remission of the target tumor. At the same time, disappearance of tooth germs was observed by X-ray examination under 3 years of age. The present study presents 11 patients with adrenal neuroblastoma who received multi-drug chemotherapy and all patients remain alive. X-ray images revealed tooth germ defects in the premolar area. Deciduous teeth that fell out were examined for electron microanalysis to detect metal, including chemotherapeutic agents and crystallization in tooth hard tissue. There are no metals into dental hard tissues and also crystallization is not inhibited by chemotherapy. It was concluded that anti-tumor chemotherapeutic agents could induce both odontoblasts and ameloblasts by dysfunction of odontogenesis before the matrix-forming stage at the same concentration of chemotherapeutic agents required for complete remission of neuroblastoma.