Lara Chavaz, MD PhD in the laboratory of Prof. Marc Ansari (UNIGE) – (pediatric oncology)

Genetic susceptibility and drug interactions in Platinum-Induced Hearing Loss (PIHL) : a translational approach towards personalized medicine

This “MD-PhD fellowship” was awarded under the national MD-PhD fellowship program of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) in December 2025 for a duration of two years. Lara Chavaz carries out her work in the laboratory of Prof. Marc Ansari at the University of Geneva.

The research project led by Dr. Lara Chavaz focuses on the long-term side effects of cancer treatments in children, particularly hearing damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin.

While these treatments are essential for curing many pediatric cancers, they can cause lasting hearing problems, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance disorders, which have a significant impact on the quality of life of children who have grown into adults.

This project aims to better understand why some children develop these complications while others do not. By studying the links between genetic factors and side effects observed after treatment, the research seeks to identify profiles of patients at higher risk.

Ultimately, this work could lead to more personalized treatments, tailored patient follow-up, and reduced long-term sequelae, thereby improving the quality of life of pediatric cancer survivors.