title: Gemcitabine in elderly patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess feasibility, tolerability and efficacy of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients ≥ 75 years old with advanced pancreatic cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  All consecutive patients ≥ 75 years old with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were included in this retrospective study. Necessary criteria to receive chemotherapy were: performance status 0-2, adequate biological parameters and no serious comorbidities. Other patients received best supportive care (BSC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-eight patients (53% women, median age 78 years, range 75-84) with pancreatic cancer (metastatic: n = 20, locally advanced: n = 18) were studied. Among them, 30 (79%) were able to receive chemotherapy [median number: 9 infusions (1-45)]. Six patients (23%) had at least one episode of grade 3 neutropenia and one patient developed a grade 3 hemolytic-uremic syndrome. No toxic death occurred. Three patients (11%) had a partial tumor response, 13 (46%) had a stable disease and 12 (43%) had a tumor progression. Median survival was 9.1 mo (metastatic: 6.9 mo, locally advanced: 11.4 mo).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tolerance and efficacy of gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is acceptable in elderly patients in good condition, with similar results to younger patients.
authors.affiliation: Pôle des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, Service de Pancréatologie, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 Boulevard du Général Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hentic
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dreyer
authors.forename: Vinciane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rebours
authors.forename: Magaly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zappa
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lévy
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruszniewski
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hammel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine