Future Pharmacotherapy for Sensorineural Hearing Loss by Protection and Regeneration of Auditory Hair Cells

Sensorineural hearing loss has been a global burden of diseases for decades. However, according to recent progress in experimental studies on hair cell regeneration and protection, clinical trials of pharmacotherapy for sensorineural hearing loss have rapidly progressed. In this review, we focus on recent clinical trials for hair cell protection and regeneration and outline mechanisms based on associated experimental studies. Outcomes of recent clinical trials provided valuable data regarding the safety and tolerability of intra-cochlear and intra-tympanic applications as drug delivery methods. Recent findings in molecular mechanisms of hair cell regeneration suggested the realization of regenerative medicine for sensorineural hearing loss in the near future.

Automated summary

Sensorineural hearing loss has been a global burden for decades, but recent progress in experimental studies on hair cell regeneration and protection has rapidly advanced clinical trials for pharmacotherapy. This review focuses on recent clinical trials for hair cell protection and regeneration, outlining mechanisms based on associated experimental studies. The outcomes of these trials have provided valuable data on the safety and tolerability of drug delivery methods. Recent findings in molecular mechanisms of hair cell regeneration suggest the potential for regenerative medicine in the near future.