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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Ototoxicity
Published on: March 16, 2018
Paraclinical evaluation of side-effects of Taxanes on auditory system
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran. swt_f@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Ototoxicity is one of the major causes of hearing loss and balance system disorders. Taxanes are a new group of anti-neoplastic agents used for chemotherapy; examples include Paclitaxel and Docetaxel. In this study, ototoxicity of these drugs has been evaluated in order to provide a means of adjusting the doses to avoid these complications. A prospective analytical study was carried out on 103 known cases of breast and ovarian cancer, during 2004 to 2006 (20 months), in the Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences of Tehran. All patients (mean age 45 +/- 2.3 years) were treated with Taxanes. The first evaluation of hearing (using pure tone audiometery) was performed before starting treatment, the second in the middle of the treatment period and the last at the end of treatment. Results showed that nausea and vomiting were the most common side-effects of the drugs used. No significant side-effects of Taxanes, on the audiovestibular system, were observed. In conclusion, little information concerning the ototoxic effect of Taxanes has been reported in other studies, and, in the present investigation, no significant effect on the auditory system was found.
Insights
This study found that Taxanes, used in chemotherapy, did not significantly impact the hearing or balance systems in breast and ovarian cancer patients. Further research is needed to fully understand potential ototoxicity risks.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Otolaryngology
- Audiology
Background:
- Ototoxicity, a significant cause of hearing loss and balance disorders, is a concern with chemotherapy agents.
- Taxanes (e.g., Paclitaxel, Docetaxel) are anti-neoplastic drugs used in cancer treatment.
- Understanding the ototoxic potential of Taxanes is crucial for managing treatment complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the ototoxicity of Taxanes in cancer patients.
- To determine if Taxane chemotherapy affects the audiovestibular system.
- To inform potential dose adjustments to mitigate ototoxic side effects.
Main Methods:
- A prospective analytical study involving 103 breast and ovarian cancer patients.
- Patients received Taxane chemotherapy between 2004 and 2006.
- Hearing was assessed using pure tone audiometry before, during, and after treatment.
Main Results:
- Nausea and vomiting were the most frequently reported side effects.
- No significant ototoxic effects on the audiovestibular system were observed in the study cohort.
- Audiometric evaluations did not reveal substantial auditory system damage attributable to Taxane treatment.
Conclusions:
- The study found no significant ototoxicity associated with Taxane chemotherapy in the evaluated cancer patients.
- Limited information exists on Taxane ototoxicity in scientific literature.
- Further investigation may be warranted to fully elucidate the ototoxic profile of Taxanes.
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