FOLFOX2 in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer: a comparison between elderly and middle aged patients.
The effectiveness of chemotherapy in elderly patients is still a matter of debate. We analyzed the toxicity and efficacy of the original FOLFOX2 regimen in middle aged and elderly patients affected by metastatic colorectal cancer. Consecutive patients with metastatic CRC and measurable disease were eligible. Seventy-eight partially pretreated patients were enrolled: 58 patients were defined as middle aged (<70 years) and 20 were elderly patients (>70 years). Elderly patients in comparison to middle-aged patients in a higher percentage were males. No significant differences were found in hematological and non-hematological toxicity between the two groups. No significant differences were found in the response rates, time to progression (5.9 vs. 6.0 months respectively), or median overall survival (20.9 and 21.8 months, respectively) between middle aged and elderly patients. The FOLFOX2 regimen provides equivalent feasibility, efficacy, and survival gain in middle-aged and in elderly patients with metastatic CRC.
Berretta
M
M
Division of Medical Oncology A, National Cancer Institute, CRO-IRCCS, Aviano, Italy. mberretta@cro.it <mberretta@cro.it>
Bearz
A
A
Frustaci
S
S
Talamini
R
R
Lombardi
D
D
Fratino
L
L
Lleshi
A
A
Bonanno
S
S
Spartà
D
D
Palmucci
S
S
Berretta
S
S
Tirelli
U
U
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077150:Oxaliplatin
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil