CherubismCBMNCT01630447
Genetic and Functional Analysis of Cherubism
An observational study of Cherubism, run by UConn Health at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this research study is to identify genes and regulatory elements on chromosomes that cause cherubism. Together with the investigators collaborators the investigators also study blood samples and tissue samples from patients to learn about the processes that lead to this disorder. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Cherubism
- How many people
- 600 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Apr 2009to Dec 2030
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Individuals with clinically diagnosed cherubism
Who may be able to join
- cherubism; unaffected individuals only if part of a participating cherubism family
Who cannot join
- no cherubism unaffected individuals only as part of a participating cherubism family
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, Connecticut, 06030
Ernst J Reichenberger, PhD, 860-679-2062, reichenberger@uchc.edu
About this study
Official title: Identification of Mutations That Lead to Cherubism in Families and Isolated Cases and Studies of Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms
The goal of this research study is to identify genes and regulatory elements on chromosomes that cause cherubism. Together with the investigators collaborators the investigators also study blood samples and tissue samples from patients to learn about the processes that lead to this disorder. The long-term goal of researchers involved in this study is to find mechanisms to slow down bone resorption in cherubism patients.
Read the detailed description
Cherubism is a very rare bone disorder where bone gets excessively resorbed only in the jaw bones (mandible and maxilla). The resulting cavities in bone fill up with soft fibrous (fibro-osseous) tissues that can expand and push the bony shells apart. Thus the characteristic facial appearance in patients with progressed cherubism. Bone resorption (cherubism lesions) in this disorder occurs always symmetrically in the mandible, the maxilla or in both. This distinguishes cherubism from similar disorders. As cherubism progresses, the lesions can invade the eye sockets (inferior and/or lateral orbital walls) and displace the eye balls and push down the eyelids. As a result the sclera (white of the eye) below the iris becomes visible and patients have an upward gazing appearance (cherubic look) which gave the name to this fibro-proliferative bone disorder.
Cherubism typically appears between ages of 2-7 years. It is often diagnosed during dental evaluations. At early stages cherubism is accompanied by lymph node swelling. Proliferation of the fibro-osseous tissue typically stops after puberty and in many the soft tissue in the cherubic bone cavities are replaced by new bone.
For this study we will:
- Send out study participation kits and consent by phone
- Collect a saliva sample from eligible individuals
- Obtain information regarding cherubism
- Document disorder with photos and doctor's letters
- If patients undergo surgery for cherubism we ask to obtain some bone tissue that would otherwise be discarded
- Isolate DNA from the saliva sample
- Perform genetic analyses of the DNA with the most up-to-date methods available to identify genetic variations
- Study in the laboratory why the genetic variations cause the disorder
- Conditions
- Cherubism
- Keywords
- cherubism, bone, autoinflammatory disorder, osteoblast, osteoclast, mandible, maxilla
- Medical subject headings
- Cherubism
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Identification of genetic elements
The goal is to identify relevant genes or genetic elements that cause the disease or contribute to the disease progression and severity.
Measured: at time of identification
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Jun 2012 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2009
- Primary completionDec 2030 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2030 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (13)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for CherubismStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 600 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- UConn Health
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ernst Reichenberger, UConn Health
- Investigators
- Ernst J Reichenberger, PhD, Principal investigator, UConn Health
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01630447
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UCHC03-008CBM
- Acronym
- CBM
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Jun 2012
- Last updated
- 15 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Publications
Levaot N, Voytyuk O, Dimitriou I, Sircoulomb F, Chandrakumar A, Deckert M, Krzyzanowski PM, Scotter A, Gu S, Janmohamed S, Cong F, Simoncic PD, Ueki Y, La Rose J, Rottapel R. Loss of Tankyrase-mediated destruction of 3BP2 is the underlying pathogenic mechanism of cherubism. Cell. 2011 Dec 9;147(6):1324-39. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.10.045.
PubMed 22153076Ueki Y, Tiziani V, Santanna C, Fukai N, Maulik C, Garfinkle J, Ninomiya C, doAmaral C, Peters H, Habal M, Rhee-Morris L, Doss JB, Kreiborg S, Olsen BR, Reichenberger E. Mutations in the gene encoding c-Abl-binding protein SH3BP2 cause cherubism. Nat Genet. 2001 Jun;28(2):125-6. doi: 10.1038/88832.
PubMed 11381256Gilbert G, Defillo M, Delcan JL, David P. [Results of anastomoses in the tetralogy of Fallot]. Union Med Can. 1966 Dec;95(12):1377-84. No abstract available. French.
PubMed 5996221Ueki Y, Lin CY, Senoo M, Ebihara T, Agata N, Onji M, Saheki Y, Kawai T, Mukherjee PM, Reichenberger E, Olsen BR. Increased myeloid cell responses to M-CSF and RANKL cause bone loss and inflammation in SH3BP2 "cherubism" mice. Cell. 2007 Jan 12;128(1):71-83. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.10.047.
PubMed 17218256Wang CJ, Chen IP, Koczon-Jaremko B, Boskey AL, Ueki Y, Kuhn L, Reichenberger EJ. Pro416Arg cherubism mutation in Sh3bp2 knock-in mice affects osteoblasts and alters bone mineral and matrix properties. Bone. 2010 May;46(5):1306-15. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2010.01.380. Epub 2010 Feb 1.
PubMed 20117257Levaot N, Simoncic PD, Dimitriou ID, Scotter A, La Rose J, Ng AH, Willett TL, Wang CJ, Janmohamed S, Grynpas M, Reichenberger E, Rottapel R. 3BP2-deficient mice are osteoporotic with impaired osteoblast and osteoclast functions. J Clin Invest. 2011 Aug;121(8):3244-57. doi: 10.1172/JCI45843. Epub 2011 Jul 18.
PubMed 21765218Reichenberger EJ, Levine MA, Olsen BR, Papadaki ME, Lietman SA. The role of SH3BP2 in the pathophysiology of cherubism. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2012 May 24;7 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S5. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-7-S1-S5. Epub 2012 May 24.
PubMed 22640988Papadaki ME, Lietman SA, Levine MA, Olsen BR, Kaban LB, Reichenberger EJ. Cherubism: best clinical practice. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2012 May 24;7 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S6. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-7-S1-S6. Epub 2012 May 24.
PubMed 22640403Yoshimoto T, Hayashi T, Kondo T, Kittaka M, Reichenberger EJ, Ueki Y. Second-Generation SYK Inhibitor Entospletinib Ameliorates Fully Established Inflammation and Bone Destruction in the Cherubism Mouse Model. J Bone Miner Res. 2018 Aug;33(8):1513-1519. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.3449. Epub 2018 May 22.
PubMed 29669173Yoshitaka T, Mukai T, Kittaka M, Alford LM, Masrani S, Ishida S, Yamaguchi K, Yamada M, Mizuno N, Olsen BR, Reichenberger EJ, Ueki Y. Enhanced TLR-MYD88 signaling stimulates autoinflammation in SH3BP2 cherubism mice and defines the etiology of cherubism. Cell Rep. 2014 Sep 25;8(6):1752-1766. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.08.023. Epub 2014 Sep 15.
PubMed 25220465Mione MC, Dhital KK, Amenta F, Burnstock G. An increase in the expression of neuropeptidergic vasodilator, but not vasoconstrictor, cerebrovascular nerves in aging rats. Brain Res. 1988 Sep 13;460(1):103-13. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(88)91210-3.
PubMed 3265349Kittaka M, Yoshimoto T, Schlosser C, Kajiya M, Kurihara H, Reichenberger EJ, Ueki Y. Microbe-Dependent Exacerbated Alveolar Bone Destruction in Heterozygous Cherubism Mice. JBMR Plus. 2020 Apr 14;4(6):e10352. doi: 10.1002/jbm4.10352. eCollection 2020 Jun.
PubMed 32537546Fujii Y, Monteiro N, Sah SK, Javaheri H, Ueki Y, Fan Z, Reichenberger EJ, Chen IP. Tlr2/4-Mediated Hyperinflammation Promotes Cherubism-Like Jawbone Expansion in Sh3bp2 (P416R) Knockin Mice. JBMR Plus. 2021 Oct 30;6(1):e10562. doi: 10.1002/jbm4.10562. eCollection 2022 Jan.
PubMed 35079675
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Identification of Mutations That Lead to Cherubism in Families and Isolated Cases and Studies of Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01630447
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CBM / UCHC03-008CBM
- Conditions
- Cherubism
- Keywords
- cherubism, bone, autoinflammatory disorder, osteoblast, osteoclast, mandible, maxilla
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 600 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- UConn HealthUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Apr 2009
- Primary completion
- Dec 2030 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2030 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Jun 2012 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this research study is to identify genes and regulatory elements on chromosomes that cause cherubism. Together with the investigators collaborators the investigators also study blood samples and tissue samples from patients to learn about the processes that lead to this disorder. The long-term goal of researchers involved in this study is to find mechanisms to slow down bone resorption in cherubism patients.
Detailed description
Cherubism is a very rare bone disorder where bone gets excessively resorbed only in the jaw bones (mandible and maxilla). The resulting cavities in bone fill up with soft fibrous (fibro-osseous) tissues that can expand and push the bony shells apart. Thus the characteristic facial appearance in patients with progressed cherubism. Bone resorption (cherubism lesions) in this disorder occurs always symmetrically in the mandible, the maxilla or in both. This distinguishes cherubism from similar disorders. As cherubism progresses, the lesions can invade the eye sockets (inferior and/or lateral orbital walls) and displace the eye balls and push down the eyelids. As a result the sclera (white of the eye) below the iris becomes visible and patients have an upward gazing appearance (cherubic look) which gave the name to this fibro-proliferative bone disorder.
Cherubism typically appears between ages of 2-7 years. It is often diagnosed during dental evaluations. At early stages cherubism is accompanied by lymph node swelling. Proliferation of the fibro-osseous tissue typically stops after puberty and in many the soft tissue in the cherubic bone cavities are replaced by new bone.
For this study we will:
- Send out study participation kits and consent by phone
- Collect a saliva sample from eligible individuals
- Obtain information regarding cherubism
- Document disorder with photos and doctor's letters
- If patients undergo surgery for cherubism we ask to obtain some bone tissue that would otherwise be discarded
- Isolate DNA from the saliva sample
- Perform genetic analyses of the DNA with the most up-to-date methods available to identify genetic variations
- Study in the laboratory why the genetic variations cause the disorder
Study design
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Individuals with clinically diagnosed cherubism
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- cherubism; unaffected individuals only if part of a participating cherubism family
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- no cherubism unaffected individuals only as part of a participating cherubism family
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Identification of genetic elements
Time frame: at time of identification
The goal is to identify relevant genes or genetic elements that cause the disease or contribute to the disease progression and severity.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Apr 2026.
- Background: PubMed 22153076Levaot N, Voytyuk O, Dimitriou I, Sircoulomb F, Chandrakumar A, Deckert M, Krzyzanowski PM, Scotter A, Gu S, Janmohamed S, Cong F, Simoncic PD, Ueki Y, La Rose J, Rottapel R. Loss of Tankyrase-mediated destruction of 3BP2 is the underlying pathogenic mechanism of cherubism. Cell. 2011 Dec 9;147(6):1324-39. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.10.045.
- Results publication: PubMed 11381256Ueki Y, Tiziani V, Santanna C, Fukai N, Maulik C, Garfinkle J, Ninomiya C, doAmaral C, Peters H, Habal M, Rhee-Morris L, Doss JB, Kreiborg S, Olsen BR, Reichenberger E. Mutations in the gene encoding c-Abl-binding protein SH3BP2 cause cherubism. Nat Genet. 2001 Jun;28(2):125-6. doi: 10.1038/88832.
- Results publication: PubMed 5996221Gilbert G, Defillo M, Delcan JL, David P. [Results of anastomoses in the tetralogy of Fallot]. Union Med Can. 1966 Dec;95(12):1377-84. No abstract available. French.
- Results publication: PubMed 17218256Ueki Y, Lin CY, Senoo M, Ebihara T, Agata N, Onji M, Saheki Y, Kawai T, Mukherjee PM, Reichenberger E, Olsen BR. Increased myeloid cell responses to M-CSF and RANKL cause bone loss and inflammation in SH3BP2 "cherubism" mice. Cell. 2007 Jan 12;128(1):71-83. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.10.047.
- Results publication: PubMed 20117257Wang CJ, Chen IP, Koczon-Jaremko B, Boskey AL, Ueki Y, Kuhn L, Reichenberger EJ. Pro416Arg cherubism mutation in Sh3bp2 knock-in mice affects osteoblasts and alters bone mineral and matrix properties. Bone. 2010 May;46(5):1306-15. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2010.01.380. Epub 2010 Feb 1.
- Results publication: PubMed 21765218Levaot N, Simoncic PD, Dimitriou ID, Scotter A, La Rose J, Ng AH, Willett TL, Wang CJ, Janmohamed S, Grynpas M, Reichenberger E, Rottapel R. 3BP2-deficient mice are osteoporotic with impaired osteoblast and osteoclast functions. J Clin Invest. 2011 Aug;121(8):3244-57. doi: 10.1172/JCI45843. Epub 2011 Jul 18.
- Results publication: PubMed 22640988Reichenberger EJ, Levine MA, Olsen BR, Papadaki ME, Lietman SA. The role of SH3BP2 in the pathophysiology of cherubism. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2012 May 24;7 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S5. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-7-S1-S5. Epub 2012 May 24.
- Results publication: PubMed 22640403Papadaki ME, Lietman SA, Levine MA, Olsen BR, Kaban LB, Reichenberger EJ. Cherubism: best clinical practice. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2012 May 24;7 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S6. doi: 10.1186/1750-1172-7-S1-S6. Epub 2012 May 24.
- Results publication: PubMed 29669173Yoshimoto T, Hayashi T, Kondo T, Kittaka M, Reichenberger EJ, Ueki Y. Second-Generation SYK Inhibitor Entospletinib Ameliorates Fully Established Inflammation and Bone Destruction in the Cherubism Mouse Model. J Bone Miner Res. 2018 Aug;33(8):1513-1519. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.3449. Epub 2018 May 22.
- Results publication: PubMed 25220465Yoshitaka T, Mukai T, Kittaka M, Alford LM, Masrani S, Ishida S, Yamaguchi K, Yamada M, Mizuno N, Olsen BR, Reichenberger EJ, Ueki Y. Enhanced TLR-MYD88 signaling stimulates autoinflammation in SH3BP2 cherubism mice and defines the etiology of cherubism. Cell Rep. 2014 Sep 25;8(6):1752-1766. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.08.023. Epub 2014 Sep 15.
- Results publication: PubMed 3265349Mione MC, Dhital KK, Amenta F, Burnstock G. An increase in the expression of neuropeptidergic vasodilator, but not vasoconstrictor, cerebrovascular nerves in aging rats. Brain Res. 1988 Sep 13;460(1):103-13. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(88)91210-3.
- Results publication: PubMed 32537546Kittaka M, Yoshimoto T, Schlosser C, Kajiya M, Kurihara H, Reichenberger EJ, Ueki Y. Microbe-Dependent Exacerbated Alveolar Bone Destruction in Heterozygous Cherubism Mice. JBMR Plus. 2020 Apr 14;4(6):e10352. doi: 10.1002/jbm4.10352. eCollection 2020 Jun.
- Description of lab research and patient recruitment proceduresLink provided by the sponsor.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ernst J Reichenberger, PhD principal investigator
UConn Health
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cherubism, run by UConn Health at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ernst J Reichenberger, PhD (860-679-2062, reichenberger@uchc.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Identification of genetic elements (time frame: at time of identification). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01630447, which also lists 13 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Apr 2026.