Abstract

Cisplatin is a platinum-based drug, which remains among the most efficacious anticancer treatment options. Unfortunately, use of cisplatin is hindered by dose-limiting toxicities, including irreversible hearing loss, which can grossly affect patient quality of life. Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is the result of cochlear hair cell damage through a mechanism that is poorly understood. However, cisplatin cytotoxicity is reliant on intracellular accumulation, a process that is largely dependent on the presence of particular membrane transporters. This review will provide an update on our current understanding of the various transporters known to be involved in the disposition and cytotoxicity of platinum drugs or their metabolites, as well as their role in mediating cisplatin-induced hearing loss. We also provide a summary of the successes and opportunities in therapeutically targeting membrane transporters to alleviate platinum-induced hearing loss. Moreover, we describe how this approach could be used to reduce the severity or onset of other adverse events associated with exposure to various forms of platinum drugs, without diminishing antitumor efficacy.