A new study published in the journal PLoS Genetics, shows that several existing drugs currently used in cancer treatment also relieve the symptoms of persistent ear inflammation in mice. The research could eventually lead to an inexpensive, easy-to-apply
localised treatment for glue ear, which could eliminate the need for
children to undergo surgery to fit tiny ventilation tubes (known as grommets) into the ear. It is estimated that 90% of children in England will have had
at least one episode of middle ear infection by the age of five. Most
children recover quickly, but some will go on to experience repeated
bouts and a number will develop a chronic condition, where inflammation
continues, leading to the middle ear filling with a thick glue-like
fluid. The associated hearing loss can cause both social and
developmental delays in the child, including delayed language
acquisition. More work is needed to replicate the study in humans to make sure that
the underlying disease process is the same as the mouse model, but the researchers are optimistic that a new treatment could reach early-stage
clinical trials in around five years.