In silico transcriptome screens identify epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors as therapeutics for noise-induced hearing loss

Sci Adv. 2024 Jun 21;10(25):eadk2299. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adk2299. Epub 2024 Jun 19.

Abstract

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common sensorineural hearing impairment that lacks U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs. To fill the gap in effective screening models, we used an in silico transcriptome-based drug screening approach, identifying 22 biological pathways and 64 potential small molecule treatments for NIHL. Two of these, afatinib and zorifertinib [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors], showed efficacy in zebrafish and mouse models. Further tests with EGFR knockout mice and EGF-morpholino zebrafish confirmed their protective role against NIHL. Molecular studies in mice highlighted EGFR's crucial involvement in NIHL and the protective effect of zorifertinib. When given orally, zorifertinib was found in the perilymph with favorable pharmacokinetics. In addition, zorifertinib combined with AZD5438 (a cyclin-dependent kinase 2 inhibitor) synergistically prevented NIHL in zebrafish. Our results underscore the potential for in silico transcriptome-based drug screening in diseases lacking efficient models and suggest EGFR inhibitors as potential treatments for NIHL, meriting clinical trials.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computer Simulation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • ErbB Receptors* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors* / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors* / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced* / drug therapy
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced* / genetics
  • Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Transcriptome*
  • Zebrafish*

Substances

  • ErbB Receptors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors