Prevention of cisplatin induced deafness

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the protection and restoration of hearing. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for the prevention of chemical (e.g., cisplatin) induced deafness. The present invention thus provides methods of improving the outcome of subjects treated with cisplatin.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A method for reducing chemotherapy induced ototoxicity, comprising:
 a) administering a therapeutically effective amount of an ototoxicity preventing agent locally to an middle ear of said subject, wherein said agent enters the inner ear via diffusion from the middle ear; and   b) administering a chemotherapeutic agent that induces ototoxicity to said subject, wherein said administration of said ototoxicity preventing agent reduces ototoxicity in said subject when compared to ototoxicity present in said subject if said ototoxicity preventing agent was not administered.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said administering is via manual injection. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said administering is via a pump. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said delivery is continuous. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said ototoxicity preventing agent is incorporated into a biopolymer matrix. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said ototoxicity preventing agent is released gradually and chronically. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is active in the presence of said ototoxicity preventing agent. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said chemotherapeutic agent is cisplatin. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said ototoxicity preventing agent is thiourea. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said ototoxicity preventing agent is dimethylthiourea. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of administering a nephrotoxicity preventing agent to said subject. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said nephrotoxicity preventing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium selenite and amifostine.