Genetic and Functional Analysis of Cherubism (CBM)

April 14, 2026 updated by: Ernst Reichenberger, UConn Health

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.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

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 Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

600

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Connecticut
      • Farmington, Connecticut, United States, 06030
        • Recruiting
        • University of Connecticut Health Center
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Individuals with clinically diagnosed cherubism

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • cherubism; unaffected individuals only if part of a participating cherubism family

Exclusion Criteria:

  • no cherubism unaffected individuals only as part of a participating cherubism family

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Only
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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.
at time of identification

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

UConn Health

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ernst J Reichenberger, PhD, UConn Health

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

April 1, 2009

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2030

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2030

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 25, 2012

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 27, 2012

First Posted (Estimated)

June 28, 2012

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 15, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 14, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UCHC03-008CBM

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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