Adherex Technologies rises as STS shown to prevent hearing loss

Shares of Adherex Technologies (TSX:AHX) are up more than 17% today after a study revealed its Sodium Thiosulfate (STS) was effective in preventing hearing loss in children who undergo platinum-based chemotherapy.

Adherex today released the results on the two of its sodium thiosulphate phase III studies presented at the 2014 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, which took place yesterday in Chicago.

Dr. David Freyer of Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles reported on a 135 patient study by the U.S.-based Children’s Oncology Group, entitled “The Effects of Sodium Thiosulfate (STS) on Cisplatin-induced Hearing Loss: A Report from the Children’s Oncology Group”

“Cisplatin-induced hearing loss seriously diminishes quality of life by causing hearing loss in many childhood cancer survivors and impairing their speech, general learning, social development and confidence,” said Freyer in a press release this morning. “The children’s oncology group is pleased to have successfully completed the first pediatric cooperative group clinical trial solely focused on finding a safe and effective means for preventing cisplatin-induced hearing loss. We appreciate the commitment Adherex has made to supporting this research and preserving quality of life in this group of long-term survivors.”

Children receiving curative cisplatin-containing chemotherapy programs for their pediatric cancers have been shown to develop significant and irreversible hearing loss that can compromise cognitive and language development. As many as 60% of children and adults receiving cisplatin ultimately require a hearing aid.

Adherex says it plans to discuss the regulatory filing strategy for a new drug application with the FDA later this year.