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CDK2 Inhibitors to Treat or Prevent Hearing Loss

Detailed Technology Description

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common sensorineural hearing impairment. The World Health Organization recently reported that more than a billion teens and young adults worldwide are at

*Abstract

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the most common sensorineural hearing impairment. The World Health Organization recently reported that more than a billion teens and young adults worldwide are at risk of NIHL caused by loud music (http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/06/health/hearing-loss-loud-music/index.html), and this number is rising. Acute or chronic acoustic overexposure has put more than 40 million U.S. workers at risk of permanent hearing loss (Kopke et al. 2007 Hear. Res. 226: 114-125). NIHL is also prevalent in military settings, costing more than $2 billion per year in veterans (VA) compensation. Noise trauma results in two types of hearing loss, depending on intensity and duration: permanent threshold shift or temporary threshold shift (PTS or TTS). Although people can recover from TTS within 24-48 hours, PTS is irreversible because it involves the loss of auditory cells in the cochlea. At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, patients treated for certain childhood cancers (bone cancers like osterosarcomas, lymph cancers like rhabdomyosarcomas) may also suffer from hearing loss from the ototoxic effects of like Cisplatin or other platinum-based chemotherapy treatments. As is the case with NIHL, the loss of auditory function is permanent.Researchers at St. Jude have developed pharmaceutical compositions comprising a CDK2 inhibitor and agents known to treat and prevent hearing impairment to treat irreversible PTS and chemo related hearing loss by promoting the cell-cycle re-entry of cochlea supporting cells thus providing a starting point towards restoring hearing function. We are seeking licensees in all fields for the development of this technology.

Country/Region

USA