title: [Retrospective analysis of pemetrexed plus cisplatin chemotherapy for elderly advanced non-small-cell lung cancer].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The efficacy of pemetrexed(PEM)plus cisplatin(CDDP)therapy for chemotherapy-naive non-squamous cell lung cancer has been reported, but the effectiveness of such a regimen for elderly patients is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy and toxicity of CDDP plus PEM therapy for elderly patients, retrospectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of six patients 75 years old or older with non-squamous lung cancer, who underwent CDDP plus PEM therapy from June 2009 to May 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 79. 2 years old(range, 76-82), gender: 3 males/3 females; stage: III B/IV; 1/5, pathology: all patients had adenocarcinoma without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)mutation, line: first/third; 5/1. The scheduled chemotherapy of four courses was completed in four patients. The overall response rate was 50%, and the disease control rate was 83%. Grade 3/4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 1/2 and 1/1 patients, respectively, but no blood transfusions were needed. Severe myelosuppression was shown in patients who were impaired in renal function. Grade 3 nausea or anorexia was also observed in 50%of patients. Therefore, two patients were terminated in one courses of therapy and long-term hospitalization for them was needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although CDDP plus PEM therapy for elderly patients has sufficient patients compliance because of its tolerable myelosuppression, it is necessary to pay attention to deterioration in renal function and to care for nausea during chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Hamamatsu Medical Center, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogasawara
authors.forename: Norio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kasamatsu
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Umezawa
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.forename: Ikko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hashizume
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006147:Guanine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005971:Glutamates; D000068437:Pemetrexed; D006147:Guanine; D002945:Cisplatin