title: Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in the treatment of elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).
abstract: Elderly patients constitute a subpopulation with special clinical features that differ from those of the general population and are under-represented in clinical trials. We retrospectively analyzed the toxicity and efficacy of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in the treatment of elderly patients affected by metastatic (m) CRC. Seventy-five consecutive patients aged 65-75 years (median age 71 years), 51 males and 24 females, with mCRC and measurable disease, were analyzed. The primary site of metastases was the liver (38.6% of patients). The majority of patients had a performance status (PS) according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) PS before treatment of 0-1 (96%). The overall response rate was 57.3%, median progression-free survival was 7 months and median overall survival was 27 months. The main hematological and extra-hematological toxicities (grade 3 or 4) were neutropenia (20.0%), and neurological toxicity or diarrhea (6.7%), respectively. No toxic death occurred. Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy maintains its efficacy, and safety in elderly patients with mCRC and good PS. This regimen should be considered in the treatment of this particular setting of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini 2, I-33081 Aviano (PN), Italy. mberretta@cro.it
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berretta
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zanet
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nasti
authors.forename: Arben
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lleshi
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Frustaci
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiorica
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bearz
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Talamini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lestuzzi
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lazzarini
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fisichella
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cannizzaro
authors.forename: Rosario Vincenzo
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Iaffaioli
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berretta
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tirelli
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin