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Evaluation of adverse events experienced by older patients participating in studies of molecularly targeted agents

Carol A Townsley1, Gregory R Pond, Amit M Oza

  • 1Princess Margaret Hospital Phase II Consortium, Ontario, Canada.

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|April 13, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Older patients tolerate molecularly targeted therapies as well as younger patients. Age is not a barrier to administering these targeted agents, showing similar adverse event profiles between age groups.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Tolerability of molecularly targeted agents in older adults is not well-established.
  • Previous studies have not specifically examined adverse events in elderly populations receiving targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and tolerability of molecularly targeted agents in older patients compared to younger patients.
  • To analyze adverse event data from clinical trials to determine age-related differences in toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of adverse event data from 19 clinical trials in the Princess Margaret Hospital Phase II Consortium database (2001-present).
  • Comparison of toxicity indices and dose-limiting toxicities between patients aged <65 years and >=65 years.
  • Calculation of toxicity indices based on all causalities (TI(ALL)) and agent-related causalities (TI(MTA)).

Main Results:

  • 401 patients and 1,252 treatment cycles were analyzed.
  • Similar rates of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) were observed between younger and older patient groups.
  • Toxicity indices for molecularly targeted agents (TI(MTA)) were comparable across age groups for both single-agent and multi-agent regimens.

Conclusions:

  • Older patients demonstrate similar tolerability to molecularly targeted therapies as younger patients.
  • Age should not preclude the use of targeted agents in elderly cancer patients.
  • Molecularly targeted therapies are a viable treatment option for older adults.

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