Ototoxicity in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Ototoxicology

Background:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a cornerstone of modern cancer therapy.
• Treatment-related toxicities, known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs), are emerging complications of ICIs.
• Ototoxicity, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders, is a significant irAE impacting patient quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive literature review on the ototoxicity associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases.
• Studies published up to March 1, 2022, were included in the review.

Main Results:

• Reported symptoms included sudden bilateral hearing loss, imbalance, and tinnitus.
• The median time to hearing loss onset after ICI initiation was 3 months.
• Over 60% of cases involved bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, often accompanied by other irAEs; 45.7% of patients experienced significant hearing improvement.

Conclusions:

• The majority of ICI-related hearing loss cases identified in the literature demonstrated reversibility.
• Developing and implementing standardized therapeutic algorithms for ICI-induced ototoxicity is crucial.
• Further research is required to determine the precise prevalence, optimal diagnostic approaches, and management strategies for ICI-related hearing loss.