Gentamicin, amikacin, and tobramycin are common aminoglycoside antibiotics used to treat various infectious diseases. For example, tobramycin is the drug of choice in cystic fibrosis patients with pseudomonas and bronchiectasis infections, but it is also highly ototoxic. According to several cystic fibrosis studies, the incidence of aminoglycoside-induced ototoxicity in this patient population is between 20-25% for lower frequencies and over 50% for higher frequencies. For Veteran’s Administration patients receiving aminoglycosides, the incidence of ototoxicity is estimated between 24-47% for lower frequencies and around 62.5% for higher frequencies. In 2005, approximately 1 million units of amikacin, 3 million units of tobramycin, and 10.5 million units of gentamicin were used in the U.S., indicating a large market. Methionine can be used to help combat the toxicities from these drugs.

File Number: 2.93.81 

Web site: http://www.siumed.edu/adrfa/techavailable.html

Disease: Cancer

Other Information: Baseline human data is being collected at potential clinical trials sites. Continuing animal studies are also being conducted. Phase I and II studies are planned in the U.S. Foreign patents are issued in Australia, Canada, and Europe.