title: Platinum doublets as first-line treatment for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  More than 50% of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer are diagnosed in the elderly. Few prospective clinical data with cisplatin-based chemotherapy are available, and some authors have suggested that a non-platinum single agent should be the preferred form of cure in these patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line chemotherapy based on platinums (carboplatin or cisplatin) plus a third generation compound (vinorelbine or gemcitabine) in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer in daily clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of consecutive elderly (≥70 years of age) patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated at our Medical Oncology Unit from February 2005 to September 2011 was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 249 cycles of chemotherapy was administered to 62 patients (median age, 72 years; range, 70-81) presenting a median Charlson comorbidity index of 1 and a good ECOG PS (0-1, 52 patients; 2, 10 patients). The median number of cycles/patient was 4, and all 62 patients received a platinum-based doublet as first-line chemotherapy: 57 with carboplatin (92%) and 5 with cisplatin (8%). As best response to the treatment, 19 (31%) partial responses and 20 (32%) stable diseases were observed. Median overall survival was 9.8 months. Toxicity was mild; grade III-IV neutropenia was the most frequently observed side effect in 19 administered cycles (8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advanced non-small cell lung cancer in elderly patients can be safely treated with a platinum-based doublet. Observed toxicity is manageable, and overall survival is in keeping with data from the literature.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Piacentini
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Greco
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Mercanti
authors: Anna Rita
authors: AR
authors: Trolese
authors: Emilia
authors: E
authors: Durante
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Moratello
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Tognetto
authors: Lara
authors: L
authors: Furini
authors: Jacopo
authors: J
authors: Giuliani
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Bonetti
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015897:Comorbidity; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D003841:Deoxycytidine; D014747:Vinblastine; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000093542:Gemcitabine