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Updated: May 11, 2026

Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Ototoxicity
Published on: March 16, 2018
Mechanisms of cisplatin ototoxicity: theoretical review
M S Gonçalves1, A F Silveira, A R Teixeira
1Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Porto Alegre, Brazil. maiarasg@yahoo.com.br
Introduction:
Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent commonly used in the treatment of malignant tumours, but ototoxicity is a significant side effect.
Objectives:
To discuss the mechanisms of cisplatin ototoxicity and subsequent cell death, and to present the results of experimental studies.
Material And Methods:
We conducted a systematic search for data published in national and international journals and books, using the Medline, SciELO, Bireme, LILACS and PubMed databases.
Results:
The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 3 isoform (also termed NOX3) seems to be the main source of reactive oxygen species in the cochlea. These reactive oxygen species react with other molecules and trigger processes such as lipid peroxidation of the plasma membrane and increases in expression of the transient vanilloid receptor potential 1 ion channel.
Conclusion:
Cisplatin ototoxicity proceeds via the formation of reactive oxygen species in cochlear tissue, with apoptotic cell death as a consequence.
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