Etienne Pérès

Project status: closed

The Association for Research in Otolaryngology (ARO) organises each year an international scientific meeting bringing together worldwide experts in Hearing Sciences.

Under the leadership of Fondation Pour l'Audition (FPA), the ARO-FPA travel awards support French ENT residents and allows them to present their research work at the congress. The objective for Fondation Pour l'Audition is to promote MD/PhD careers, to meet international experts and explore potential collaborations.

As an awardee, Etienne Pérès attended the 2023 ARO MidWinter meeting from February 11 to 15, 2023 in Orlando (Florida) in the United States.

He was able to present his research work on inner ear gene therapy. The objective of his research is to evaluate the efficiency of gene therapy injections using different administration routes in the inner ear, in order to find the optimal way to deliver treatment for genetic deafness. 

Etienne Pérès administered genetic material in mice using different delivery routes and tested their hearing. The number of cells transfected with the genetic material was counted to evaluate the treatment efficacy.

Injection through the round window, i.e., directly into the cochlea (the hearing organ), is the main route used. Mr. Pérès was able to show that the route close to the vestibular organ (regulating balance), through the semicircular canals, has the same efficacy with less side effects than a cochlear injection.

Currently, treatment of genetic deafness is not optimal. Gene therapy may restore a more natural and physiological hearing and a better functional prognosis, especially in noise or listening to music.
 

Etienne Pérès
ENT resident
Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris AP-HP, Paris, France