Abstract: Methods of preventing or reducing hearing or balance loss, damage to ear cells, weight loss, gastrointestinal toxicity, neurotoxicity, alopecia, and prolonging survival in patients undergoing treatment with therapeutically effective amounts of platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin are provided. Methods are also provided for preventing or reducing such symptoms in patients undergoing treatment with loop diuretics, aminoglycoside antibiotics, iron chelating agents, quinine, and quinidine, or those who have been exposed to toxic levels of noise or radiation. These methods comprise administering an effective amount of a methionine protective agent, such as D-methionine, prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequently to administration of the platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agent, loop diuretic agent, etc., or exposure to noise or radiation. Combinations of these time periods can also be employed.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or reducing hearing or balance loss, damage to ear cells, weight loss, gastrointestinal toxicity, neurotoxicity, alopecia, and prolonging survival in patients undergoing treatment with therapeutically effective amounts of platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin are provided. These methods comprise administering an effective amount of a methionine protective agent, such as D-methionine, prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequently to administration of the platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agent. Combinations of these time periods can also be employed.