Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration — Maybe We Can Know More

[DoNotGoGentle]

The question what is the window. It might be 10 years before they fix this issue. This only going to be after acute noise. I already have NIHL in 10 years My hearing might be in bad shape and plus my tinnitus. So will they be able to help?

 

[Jim51042]

@DoNotGoGentle somewhere on this planet there be a synaptic treatment in 3 years. It maybe be a copycat Korean treatment of a successful Decibel clinic trial. Or you maybe able to enroll in a Decibel or other companies trial. Something at least mildly effective will be available in 3 years.

 

[90's Kid]

@DoNotGoGentle somewhere on this planet there be a synaptic treatment in 3 years. It maybe be a copycat Korean treatment of a successful Decibel clinic trial. Or you maybe able to enroll in a Decibel or other companies trial. Something at least mildly effective will be available in 3 years.

I agree with you dude, each year science progress increases by x^2.
Even at the end of 2017/beginning 2018 we'll learn things that we never knew before.
You know, I forgot about my T during 1 year. Tinnitus came back because I randomly read an article called "Tinnitus" in Facebook. It just came back by reading the word "tinnitus" lmao

So because I thought about it again, I did decide to see what did change during this year where my T was far away.
And I was surprised that researchs increased like that.

I'll try to do the same process, soooooo good to see science discoveries after one year without thinking about it. Better than come here each day.

 

[dan26]

I imagine it must have been hell. Props to you for hanging in there.
Did the CI make any difference to your T?

How is your hearing with the CI now? How does it compare with your original (natural) hearing?

the implant did nothing to quiet the tinnitus. of course i can hear with the implant but its nothing like "normal" hearing like i had for 21 years before being deafened. My neurotologist said to try cognitive behavioral therapy. whats that really gonna do? Tinnitus retraining therapy? I use cd's of masking sounds when it gets really bad. I take some klonopin now and then when i cant sleep and the noises and keeping me up at night. No good to take for long periods due to all kinds of side effects and dependency. I've been dealing with this so long i have to keep praying the thinking and hoping a breakthrough comes sooner rather that later. Plus my boy looks at my speech processor and wonders why he doesnt have one. I will explain to him one day when he can comprehend more. Hopefully a cure is found for both deafness and tinnitus!

 

[GregCA]

the implant did nothing to quiet the tinnitus. of course i can hear with the implant but its nothing like "normal" hearing like i had for 21 years before being deafened. My neurotologist said to try cognitive behavioral therapy. whats that really gonna do? Tinnitus retraining therapy? I use cd's of masking sounds when it gets really bad. I take some klonopin now and then when i cant sleep and the noises and keeping me up at night. No good to take for long periods due to all kinds of side effects and dependency. I've been dealing with this so long i have to keep praying the thinking and hoping a breakthrough comes sooner rather that later. Plus my boy looks at my speech processor and wonders why he doesnt have one. I will explain to him one day when he can comprehend more. Hopefully a cure is found for both deafness and tinnitus!

Thanks for the info. Hang in there. I know how hard it can get.
I don't know that CBT can help you: I guess it depends on the types of issues you have, for example if you are prone to have pronounced cognitive biases that you want to try and correct.

 

[RB2014]

https://hearinglosscure.stanford.edu/2017/02/sichl-and-the-past-present-and-future/

Stefan Heller, PhD gives us an in-depth look at the SICHL team's hard work and hopes for the future of the research.

 

[Samir]

@RB2014,
There is a newer post here:
https://hearinglosscure.stanford.ed...ure-of-fundraising-for-hearing-loss-research/

Although the title of our initiative includes only "hearing loss" and not "tinnitus," we anticipate that the methods we invent to regenerate inner ear hair cells will reduce ringing in the ears, as well as restore lost hearing.

Similarly, SICHL holds the promise to address balance disorders, too, as the physiology of hair cells in the vestibular organ is analogous to the cochlea. I suppose it would just be too cumbersome to call this The Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss, Tinnitus and Balance Disorders.

~ Clifford I. Harris, M.D., Director of Development

There is also another, older, but interesting post concerning diagnostic tools:
https://hearinglosscure.stanford.edu/2017/02/oghalai-lab-the-past-present-and-future/

Q: What are your goals for the research in the coming 5 years?

A: Our goal is to translate VOCTV for use in patients. We would like to be able to tell a patient why, specifically, they have hearing loss. For example, what tissues and cells along which regions of the cochlea are affected in them. We can then use this information to guide treatment in a more specific way, rather than just using hearing tests.

~ Prof. John S. Oghalai, MD

 

[Reinier]

If this has been posted earlier I apologise. It did not come up when I did a search on TT.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/316921.php
quote: "In an apparent first, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have used genetic manipulation to regenerate auditory hair cells in adult mice."

"The findings have implications for a phase 1 clinical trial now underway that uses gene therapy to restart expression of ATOH1 to regenerate hair cells for treatment of hearing loss."

 

[RB2014]

If this has been posted earlier I apologise. It did not come up when I did a search on TT.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/316921.php
quote: "In an apparent first, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have used genetic manipulation to regenerate auditory hair cells in adult mice."

"The findings have implications for a phase 1 clinical trial now underway that uses gene therapy to restart expression of ATOH1 to regenerate hair cells for treatment of hearing loss."

I had read that St. Jude was trying to sell their idea to a big pharma company but I don't know what came of that. Is there any way to find out what the phase 1 trial involves?

 

[Aaron123]

If this has been posted earlier I apologise. It did not come up when I did a search on TT.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/316921.php
quote: "In an apparent first, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have used genetic manipulation to regenerate auditory hair cells in adult mice."

the paper was posted a few pages back. On the positive side, they did sort of regenerate hair cells in adult mice. The sort of comes from the fact that the hair cells were not functional. Additionally, the approach results in the loss of supporting cells. (I think the claim of an apparent first is incorrect as well.)

Is there any way to find out what the phase 1 trial involves?

Yes, they are referring to the Genvec trial. The paper by the St Jude researchers claims to provide an explanation for why some papers find that ATOH1 alone can convert SC to HC and some papers find that it can't. My read is that this is further evidence why that trial is unlikely to be successful.

 

[Scotti]

Just saw the "hands over ears, finger thump back of head" demo on RTM (Right This Minute). Worked for some. One fellow walked away disappointed but called the place where he tried this fifteen minutes later to say that it did work. Other say say no go, some say temporary

 

[Reinier]

Yes, they are referring to the Genvec trial.

Are you certain? They mention a phase 1 clinical trial now underway. The GenVec trial is already happening.

 

[Aaron123]

Are you certain? They mention a phase 1 clinical trial now underway. The GenVec trial is already happening.

I'm not sure I understand: "now underway" = "already happening".

There is only 1 trial underway using gene therapy to manipulate ATOH1 - Genvec/Novartis.

 

[Reinier]

I'm not sure I understand: "now underway" = "already happening".

Could be my English.
I would have thought that now underway is an indication that the trial is not yet happening.
But people already have been participating in the GenVec trial. So that trial is in progress/has started.

 

[Aaron123]

Could be my English.
I would have thought that now underway is an indication that the trial is not yet happening.
But people already have been participating in the GenVec trial. So that trial is in progress/has started.

"Now underway" means it is happening. They are talking about the Genvec trial.

 

[acufenero]

I think this article about Decibel hasn't been posted yet:

New technology that can help the 360 million people with hearing loss
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/18/technology-that-can-help-millions-with-hearing-loss.html

Albert Edge, a professor of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School, is also looking into regenerating cells to restore hearing. But his lab has focused on the hair cells inside the cochlea and the neurons from the auditory nerve connected to it. Four years ago Edge and his collaborators discovered that certain molecular compounds could help hair cells regrow, which led to an improvement in hearing in mice. That showed them it could be done, but the effect was not as dramatic as they would have liked, said Edge.

Armed with more knowledge about how cells regenerate elsewhere in the body, Edge and his team have been exploring how various drugs can encourage the regrowth of hair cells and neurons. Ultimately, drugs, which would likely have to be injected deep into patients' ears, could be tailored to individual needs. "What's attractive about our approach and others like us is that our aim is to restore the ear to what it was," Edge said. The goal is providing alternatives to people for whom hearing aids are not a good option. Edge's work is still limited to Petri dishes and mice, but his team hopes to start some small clinical trials in a few years.

From that piece, it looks like they are far behind Frequency.

 

[Jomo]

Has this been posted?

https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-03...earing-loss-regenerating-hair-cells-inner-ear

Would any of you guys sign up for the trial? Its in 16 months. I mean in theory it seems to be the absolute cure but what if it makes things worse? Seems very promising.

In the laboratory, the team applied the molecules to progenitor hair cells from the inner ear — to great effect. "We were able to obtain very large populations of hair cells," Karp says. "We demonstrated that they had functionality — you know, really bona fide hair cells. And we demonstrated this for tissue from mice, nonhuman primates and even human tissue."

 

[Jim51042]

"In five to 10 years, they plan to start testing a few drug compounds on humans."
What?? While I appreciate what Dr. Heller has done with this timeline he probably will be outpaced by others in this field. Its nice to think if nothing is successful his work will be useful. But I think its very improbably that someone just starting human testing in 5-10 years will not be in way back of this race. Also this isn't just dependent on people working the ear field. Research into neurogenesis by people working on others parts of the body can be applied in a tailored fashion to the inner ears.

From that piece, it looks like they are far behind Frequency.

This article only mention Albert Edge not Decibel Tx. But yea it does seem like they aren't gearing up for a trial in mid 18 rather I would guess they are targeting early 19.

 

[jeff W]

"In five to 10 years, they plan to start testing a few drug compounds on humans."
What?? While I appreciate what Dr. Heller has done with this timeline he probably will be outpaced by others in this field. Its nice to think if nothing is successful his work will be useful. But I think its very improbably that someone just starting human testing in 5-10 years will not be in way back of this race. Also this isn't just dependent on people working the ear field. Research into neurogenesis by people working on others parts of the body can be applied in a tailored fashion to the inner ears.


This article only mention Albert Edge not Decibel Tx. But yea it does seem like they aren't gearing up for a trial in mid 18 rather I would guess they are targeting early 19.

There are generals and there are soldiers. 10 years is indeed too long.

 

[acufenero]

This article only mention Albert Edge not Decibel Tx. But yea it does seem like they aren't gearing up for a trial in mid 18 rather I would guess they are targeting early 19.

Decibel shared the article on Twitter:



I guess it's what they're working on.

By the way, looks like they have just moved to their new offices:

Has this been posted?

Yes, it's Frequency Therapeutics.

 

[Jim51042]

Decibel shared the article on Twitter:

ok thanks!!

By the way, looks like they have just moved to their new offices:

I'm glad their move is done. I had though that this was the reason their research and testing had slowed. Hopefully they can get cranking with this new facility.

 

[Samir]

From that piece, it looks like they are far behind Frequency.

What gave you that impression?

Has this been posted?

It has, by me and others.

Would any of you guys sign up for the trial? Its in 16 months. I mean in theory it seems to be the absolute cure but what if it makes things worse? Seems very promising.

Seems promising, doesn't it? But what if it "makes things worse"? Would you do it?

This article only mention Albert Edge not Decibel Tx. But yea it does seem like they aren't gearing up for a trial in mid 18 rather I would guess they are targeting early 19.

Who said they would start a trial in mid 2018? You might be confusing them with Frequency Therapeutics.

 

[DoNotGoGentle]

"In five to 10 years, they plan to start testing a few drug compounds on humans."
What?? While I appreciate what Dr. Heller has done with this timeline he probably will be outpaced by others in this field. Its nice to think if nothing is successful his work will be useful. But I think its very improbably that someone just starting human testing in 5-10 years will not be in way back of this race. Also this isn't just dependent on people working the ear field. Research into neurogenesis by people working on others parts of the body can be applied in a tailored fashion to the inner ears.


This article only mention Albert Edge not Decibel Tx. But yea it does seem like they aren't gearing up for a trial in mid 18 rather I would guess they are targeting early 19.

I am thinking Decibel is in stealth mode. When we hear from them it will be big news!

 

[Aaron123]

Just a reminder Decibel is in stealth mode.

I'm curious as to where you heard this.

 

[DoNotGoGentle]

I'm curious as to where you heard this.

Sorry I just believe they are seems like we have heard more from Freq tx then them.

 

[Aaron123]

Sorry I just believe they are seems like we have heard more from Freq tx then them.

Just checking in the event I missed something. Thanks.

 

[Jim51042]

Who said they would start a trial in mid 2018?

The article below mentions both companies having clinical trials in 18. Obviously it was a guess but at the time I couldn't be certain it wasn't an educated guess.

But now, two emerging biotechs, Frequency Therapeutics and Decibel Therapeutics, are developing drugs to remedy hearing loss. These efforts will most likely not reach the clinic before late 2018, but the companies have a lot of motivation.

http://medcitynews.com/2017/01/biotech-startups-hearing-loss/

 

[jeff W]

Somebody changed their tune!

 

[Reinier]

I don't think we will find a ???
Is this a link that perhaps does not work in certain regions?

 

[Jim51042]

I don't think we will find a ???

its from this video posted Feb 5, 2014