Hearing Loss Treatment in Childhood Cancer Patients

In September 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved PEDMARK® (sodium thiosulfate) to reduce the risk of cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children receiving this cancer treatment. Cisplatin is a commonly-used chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of brain, bone, and liver cancers. During treatment, the accumulation of cisplatin in the inner ear may result in sensorineural hearing loss, particularly in children.

The road to this FDA approval began almost 30 years ago in an Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) laboratory led by Edward Neuwelt, MD, professor and lead researcher in the Department of Neurology at OHSU. Their bench-to-bedside approach to examining the benefits of this drug required intense collaboration among researchers, scientists, clinicians, families, and cancer survivors. The FDA has approved the use of PEDMARK® for patients ranging in age from one month up to 18 years who have localized tumors.

Reference

Oregon Health and Science University News. (2023) Driven by OHSU research, FDA approves new drug to prevent hearing loss in children with cancer (accessed February 16, 2023).