Tsz Yuen Au

Conference 2022 Poster Presentation

 

Project title

Utilizing hydrogen/oxygen therapy to rescue the anti-cancer treatment-induced hearing loss

 

Authors and Affiliations

Tsz Yuen Au1, Chanika Assavarittirong1

1. Center for Medical Education in English, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

 

Abstract

Background

Anti-cancer treatments such as radiotherapy at the facial region and the use of cisplatin is known for their ototoxicity effects. Hearing loss is one of the expected adverse effects which can irreversibly affect the patient’s quality of life. The condition is believed to be the result of increased ROS-induced apoptosis of sensory hair cells. Hydrogen has an antioxidative effect that could potentially reduce oxidative stress and alleviate the hearing loss. In comparison to other antioxidative agents, the highly diffusive nature of hydrogen gas provides better access to the inner ear to reduce oxidative stress in sensory hair cells. The scientific evidence of rescuing hearing loss by hydrogen/oxygen therapy was gathered in this study.

Methods

3 clinical case reports and an animal study published in PubMed were compiled and analyzed in this study.

Results

Positive outcomes were noted in all the cases and studies included. Post-therapeutic improvement of hearing problems was observed in all 3 radiotherapy-induced hearing loss cases. Reduction of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity on functional, cellular, and subcellular levels after hydrogen inhalation was reported in the animal study.

Conclusions

Case reports and research studies have revealed that hydrogen/oxygen therapy has an otoprotective effect in treatment-induced hearing loss. Nevertheless, there are also concerns about the potential interruption of the effectiveness of the anti-cancer treatment by the antioxidative agents. Hence, a monitored randomized clinical trial is required to evaluate the effectiveness and potential interaction with the anti-cancer treatments.