[Drug therapy of advanced non-small cell lung cancer in the elderly]

About half of the elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can not receive effective treatment due to the decreased organ function and complication. Monotherapies using the third generation new drugs have became a standard first-line therapy for NSCLC, as documented by prospective phase 3 clinical trials. Combined chemotherapies that contain platin and single agent are considered optional first- and second-line treatment for patients with good physical performance and few complication. The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors may become a key therapeutic agent,while the role of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody remains unclear. More prospective phase 3 targeting at the elderly patients should be designed and conducted.