Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of atorvastatin to prevent hearing loss in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma receiving cisplatin based chemoradiation (CRT).

Abstract

TPS12153 Background: Cisplatin chemotherapy is associated with several adverse effects, including a permanent, high-frequency, sensorineural hearing loss in about 50% of patients. Preclinical studies suggest that statin drugs can mitigate cisplatin ototoxicity (Fernandez et al., Hearing Research 2020). In our prior combined retrospective/prospective dataset of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with cisplatin-based CRT, the incidence of CTCAE grade ≥ 2 hearing loss was 29.4% in statin non-users, versus 9.7% in atorvastatin users (Fernandez et al., J Clin Invest 2021). An adjusted odds ratio analysis indicated that atorvastatin users are significantly less likely to develop hearing loss versus statin non-users (odds ratio 0.47), providing the rationale for a randomized, controlled, prospective study. Methods: This multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study is enrolling patients with previously-untreated, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) for which cisplatin-based chemoradiation is indicated, either in the definitive or adjuvant setting. Patients who will be treated with cisplatin (at 75-100 mg/m2 bolus every three weeks or 40 mg/m2 weekly) are eligible. Patients currently taking a statin or those without measurable hearing in at least one ear are excluded. A baseline audiogram is performed, and patients are randomized to atorvastatin (40 mg/day) or placebo, which is started 2-7 days before CRT and taken daily until 3 months after completion of CRT. Post-treatment audiometry is repeated at 3 months and 2 years after CRT, along with collection of patient-reported outcomes on hearing, tinnitus, and peripheral neuropathy. Patients are monitored for liver and muscle toxicity, with dose de-escalation or cessation of atorvastatin as needed. The primary endpoint is the incidence of CTCAE grade ≥2 hearing loss at 3 months after CRT. Secondary endpoints include other treatment related grade 3-4 adverse events, overall survival, and disease-free survival. Up to 214 subjects will be enrolled at 4 U.S. sites (NIH Clinical Center, Emory University, University of Maryland, University of Rochester). Funding: NIH/NIDCD, U01 DC020452 and intramural project ZIA DC000079. Clinical trial information: NCT04915183 .