Cholesterol drug may shield ears from chemo damage

NCT ID NCT04915183

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether atorvastatin, a widely used cholesterol medication, can reduce hearing loss caused by cisplatin chemotherapy in people with head and neck cancer. About 224 adults will be randomly assigned to take atorvastatin or a placebo daily during and for three months after their cancer treatment. Hearing tests and blood samples will be collected before, during, and up to two years after treatment to see if the drug makes a difference.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

atorvastatin

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost way to protect hearing during chemotherapy without affecting cancer treatment.

What could go wrong

This is a mid-stage trial with 224 people, so results are not yet proven. Atorvastatin may not prevent hearing loss, and there is a small risk of side effects like muscle pain or liver issues.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck cancer Head and Neck Neoplasms head and neck squamous cell carcinoma hearing loss disorder squamous cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Inova Schar Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Fairfax, Virginia, 22031, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    RECRUITING

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Maryland Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New Yor

    RECRUITING

    Rochester, New York, 14642, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University

    RECRUITING

    Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••