AdventHealth Research Institute Offers Phase II Clinical Trial of Etanercept for Treatment of Blast-Induced Tinnitus

[vttbx]

AdventHealth Research Institute Offers Phase II Clinical Trial of Etanercept for Treatment of Blast-Induced Tinnitus

Under the leadership of principal investigator Michael Seidman, MD, AdventHealth Research Institute is participating in the multi-site Clinical Trial of Etanercept (TNF-alpha Blocker) for Treatment of Blast-Induced Tinnitus funded by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The purpose of this research study is to determine if etanercept, compared to a placebo, significantly reduces the severity of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) associated with history of blast and/or noise exposure or associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or concussion. The primary objectives are to test if:

• Etanercept significantly reduces tinnitus distress as measured by the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), a self-report questionnaire used to assess the severity and negative impact of tinnitus (tinnitus distress).
• Etanercept improves hearing as measured through audiometric testing, tinnitus testing, a visual numeric rating scale to rate the loudness of the tinnitus, and a tinnitus primary function questionnaire. In addition, investigators will explore whether etanercept treatment leads to sustained therapeutic effects over time.

The secondary objective of this study is to test if etanercept reduces tinnitus loudness measured by visual numeric scale (VNS) rating.

 

[Saba]

This is interesting. Wayne State University in Detroit had an open enrollment in the spring to recruit candidates with tinnitus resulting from noise-induced trauma. They were planning to test the same drug, also known as Enbrel, to determine whether this treatment can reduce tinnitus distress.

I passed the screening but was rejected due to a questionable blood test. From what I understand, the clinical trial at Wayne State is expected to be completed by August 2025.

 

[withintention]

That is exciting. It sounds like there was an anecdotal case of someone whose hearing was improved while on a drug that had a similar mechanism of action.