Platinum cancer drugs tied to hearing loss in kids

By David Douglas

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Hearing loss appears to be a
significant and under-reported side effect of platinum-based
drugs used to treat a variety of childhood cancers, according
to researchers.

As senior investigator Dr. Edward A. Neuwelt told Reuters
Health, so-called “mild” hearing loss “has major impact on
academic and social development in kids, is very common after
platinum chemotherapy, and may be prevented using” drugs called
“thiol oto-protectants” that do not compromise the anti-cancer
effects of the chemotherapy.

In the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Neuwelt of Oregon
Health and Science University, Portland and colleagues report
on their study of 67 children and young adults treated with
platinum-based chemotherapy.

Decreased hearing in both ears was noted in 61 percent of
children. Children treated for bone and nerve cancers called
osteosarcoma, neurosarcoma, and medulloblastoma had higher
rates of hearing loss and loss was more severe. Typically, it
took just over four months for the hearing loss to occur.

“Hearing loss at frequencies above 2000 Hz is highly
significant in young children,” the researchers write. “To
properly build their language foundation, children must be able
to hear all the sounds of speech.”

They also note that various agents, including sodium
thiosulfate and thiol drugs are being studied for potential
protection against treatment-related ear damage.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology, December 2005.