title: Bevacizumab in older patients with advanced colorectal or breast cancer.
abstract: The incidence of colorectal and breast cancer is growing among the 550 million living people aged 65 or older. Bevacizumab was the first anti-angiogenic agent approved for the treatment of the advanced phase of these cancers. Although older chronological age still hampers the use of modern treatments, there is a widespread awareness that chronological and physiological (i.e. functional) ages may largely differ, and that seniority itself should not be a stringent limit for the introduction of anti-angiogenics. However, the use of bevacizumab in the general older population is questionable. There is limited evidence of a favorable risk-to-benefit ratio, with efficacy data deriving from clinical trials that selected only elderly patients in rather good health. While summarizing the recent advances, this review highlights specific clinical features characterizing those older patients who may benefit the most from receiving bevacizumab.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Udine, Italy. aprile.giuseppe@aoud.sanita.fvg.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aprile
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fontanella
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puglisi
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068258:Bevacizumab