Is intratympanic oxytocin effective for treating cisplatin induced ototoxicity? Study sheds light

The study separated 30 rats (60 ears) into five groups. Cisplatin, dexamethasone, oxytocin, atosiban, and 0.9% NaCl were administered intraperitoneally to all groups separately. On all the groups, Auditory Brainstem Response and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission tests were performed before and 72 hours after the procedure.

Following were the study’s key findings;

• Pre-treatment values were higher than post-treatment values in all groups.
• There was no significant prolongation of the post-treatment Auditory Brainstem Response I-IV interval in the oxytocin and dexamethasone groups.
• There was no significant decrease in the frequencies of 2832 and 4004 after treatment in the oxytocin and dexamethasone group compared to pre-treatment in Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission.

These findings suggest that intratympanic oxytocin holds promise as a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Oxytocin, known for its role in social bonding and stress regulation, may exert protective effects on the inner ear through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

The investigators believe that further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of oxytocin-mediated cochlear protection and to optimize dosing regimens for clinical translation. If validated in human studies, intratympanic oxytocin could offer a safer and more effective alternative to traditional treatments for cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, potentially improving the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Reference:

Taş, B.M., Özel, G., Azman, M. et al. Comparison of Intratympanic Oxytocin and Dexamethasone in Cisplatin Ototoxicity: An Experimental Study. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-024-04701-z