Florida [USA], Researchers from Indiana University and the University of South Florida conducted an interdisciplinary study that yielded important results on the long-term consequences of one of the most commonly used types of chemotherapy in cancer survivors.
The study, which followed a cohort of testicular cancer survivors who received cisplatin-based chemotherapy for an average of 14 years, was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Oncology. It was found that 78 percent of survivors have significant difficulties in everyday listening situations, which negatively affects their quality of life. This interdisciplinary study is the first to examine the real-world progression of hearing loss and hearing problems in cancer survivors over an extended period.
"It is important that we understand the real-world effects of patients' sensory problems, and if we can understand them, we can develop better therapeutic strategies and preventive measures to improve the long-term quality of life of cancer survivors," said Robert Frisina. , distinguished university professor and chair of the USF Department of Medical Engineering.
Cisplatin is commonly used in chemotherapy treatments for a variety of cancers, including bladder, lung, neck, and testicular cancers. It is administered intravenously and affects various parts of the body. However, the ears are particularly vulnerable as they have little ability to filter the drug, causing it to become trapped. This causes inflammation and destruction of the sensory cells that are critical for encoding sound, leading to permanent hearing loss that can progressively worsen long after cisplatin treatments are completed.
Lead author Victoria Sánchez, an associate professor in the USF Health Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, said that despite the known risks, there is a nationwide lack of routine hearing screenings for patients who they receive chemotherapy. "The majority of patients still do not undergo hearing testing before, during or after chemotherapy. Our study highlights the need for regular hearing evaluations to monitor and mitigate long-term hearing damage."
The research team found that higher doses of cisplatin led to more severe and progressive hearing loss, especially in patients with risk factors such as high blood pressure and poor cardiovascular health. They also experienced greater difficulty hearing in common environments, such as a noisy restaurant.
"It will be vitally important to follow these patients throughout their lives. Their current average age is only 48 years and, over time, they will enter the age at which age-related hearing loss also begins to develop," he said. Dr. Lois B. Travis, Lawrence H. Einhorn Professor of Cancer Research at Indiana University School of Medicine and investigator at the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. This research is part of the Platinum Study, an ongoing research effort led by Dr. Travis and funded by the National Cancer Institute to study testicular cancer survivors treated with cisplatin.
The hope is that this study will inspire more research into alternative chemotherapy protocols and preventive measures, such as FDA-approved medications to prevent or reduce hearing loss.
"This research provides oncologists with the information they need to explore alternative treatment plans that could reduce long-term side effects, such as altering the doses and timing of cisplatin in treatment, when that might be an appropriate option," he said. Frisina.
According to Frisina, innovative solutions, such as Pedmark, a new FDA-approved injection that mitigates cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children, represent promising advances.
"We want to protect our hearing or treat hearing loss if hearing damage occurs," Sanchez said. "Hearing allows us to connect with the world we love. Stay connected through conversations with family and friends, enjoy music and entertainment, stay safe, and find pleasure in our vibrant environment. Promoting optimal hearing for overall well-being is essential for a healthy life.
The study, which followed a cohort of testicular cancer survivors who received cisplatin-based chemotherapy for an average of 14 years, was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Oncology. It was found that 78 percent of survivors have significant difficulties in everyday listening situations, which negatively affects their quality of life. This interdisciplinary study is the first to examine the real-world progression of hearing loss and hearing problems in cancer survivors over an extended period.
"It is important that we understand the real-world effects of patients' sensory problems, and if we can understand them, we can develop better therapeutic strategies and preventive measures to improve the long-term quality of life of cancer survivors," said Robert Frisina. , distinguished university professor and chair of the USF Department of Medical Engineering.
Cisplatin is commonly used in chemotherapy treatments for a variety of cancers, including bladder, lung, neck, and testicular cancers. It is administered intravenously and affects various parts of the body. However, the ears are particularly vulnerable as they have little ability to filter the drug, causing it to become trapped. This causes inflammation and destruction of the sensory cells that are critical for encoding sound, leading to permanent hearing loss that can progressively worsen long after cisplatin treatments are completed.
Lead author Victoria Sánchez, an associate professor in the USF Health Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, said that despite the known risks, there is a nationwide lack of routine hearing screenings for patients who they receive chemotherapy. "The majority of patients still do not undergo hearing testing before, during or after chemotherapy. Our study highlights the need for regular hearing evaluations to monitor and mitigate long-term hearing damage."
The research team found that higher doses of cisplatin led to more severe and progressive hearing loss, especially in patients with risk factors such as high blood pressure and poor cardiovascular health. They also experienced greater difficulty hearing in common environments, such as a noisy restaurant.
"It will be vitally important to follow these patients throughout their lives. Their current average age is only 48 years and, over time, they will enter the age at which age-related hearing loss also begins to develop," he said. Dr. Lois B. Travis, Lawrence H. Einhorn Professor of Cancer Research at Indiana University School of Medicine and investigator at the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. This research is part of the Platinum Study, an ongoing research effort led by Dr. Travis and funded by the National Cancer Institute to study testicular cancer survivors treated with cisplatin.
The hope is that this study will inspire more research into alternative chemotherapy protocols and preventive measures, such as FDA-approved medications to prevent or reduce hearing loss.
"This research provides oncologists with the information they need to explore alternative treatment plans that could reduce long-term side effects, such as altering the doses and timing of cisplatin in treatment, when that might be an appropriate option," he said. Frisina.
According to Frisina, innovative solutions, such as Pedmark, a new FDA-approved injection that mitigates cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children, represent promising advances.
"We want to protect our hearing or treat hearing loss if hearing damage occurs," Sanchez said. "Hearing allows us to connect with the world we love. Stay connected through conversations with family and friends, enjoy music and entertainment, stay safe, and find pleasure in our vibrant environment. Promoting optimal hearing for overall well-being is essential for a healthy life.
