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Researcher develops drug delivery system to prevent chemo-induced hearing loss
Agrahari holds a Master and a Bachelor degree of Pharmacy from Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science, Madhya Pradesh.
Vibhuti Agrahari / Image- University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma pharmaceutical sciences professor, Vibhuti Agrahari has developed a drug delivery system to prevent hearing loss caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin.
This innovation is designed to directly transport medications to the inner ear, mitigating the harmful effects of cisplatin, which is known to damage the cochlea and lead to permanent hearing loss in cancer patients.
Agrahari's research, published in the Journal of Controlled Release and the Journal of Nanobiotechnology, is particularly significant for children, who are disproportionately affected by this side effect.
“To treat this type of hearing loss, we wanted to create a targeted drug delivery approach that can be administered directly into the inner ear,” said Agrahari. “While hearing aids and cochlear implants are options, our goal was to prevent hearing loss from happening in the first place, especially for young children who are undergoing critical stages of cognitive development.”
Agrahari's system involves the use of hydrogels, which serve as a transport medium for nanoparticles carrying the drugs. The hydrogel is injected into the ear as a liquid but solidifies upon reaching the body’s temperature, allowing for a slow and steady release of the medications.
This innovative approach prevents cisplatin from damaging the hair cells in the cochlea, offering a sustained defense during chemotherapy treatment. The delivery system has shown positive results in early testing on inner ear cell lines and animal models, with patents filed for its novelty and potential.
“Cisplatin is a vital chemotherapy drug, but the hearing loss it causes can severely impact quality of life,” Agrahari stated. “Our research aims to ensure that cancer patients, especially children, can retain their hearing while receiving life-saving treatment.”
Agrahari holds a Ph.D. in pharmaceutics and drug design from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Master and Bachelor degree of Pharmacy from Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science, Madhya Pradesh.
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