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Targeted therapy in older patients with solid tumors

Ciara M Kelly1, Derek G Power1, Stuart M Lichtman2

  • 1Ciara M. Kelly and Derek G. Power, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland; and Stuart M. Lichtman, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Commack, NY.

Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
|July 30, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Targeted cancer therapies offer personalized medicine but lack elderly-specific trials. Careful patient selection and geriatric evaluation are crucial for safe and effective treatment in older adults.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Geriatrics

Background:

  • Personalized medicine in cancer therapy is driven by targeted therapies and a deeper understanding of tumor heterogeneity.
  • Approved targeted drugs span various classes, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, and therapies targeting HER2, BRAF mutations, EGFR, and VEGF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review approved targeted therapies for cancer treatment.
  • To analyze the applicability of these therapies in elderly patients, considering the lack of specific clinical trials.
  • To provide therapeutic recommendations for older adults undergoing targeted cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of approved targeted drugs across different therapeutic classes.
  • Analysis of existing clinical trial data, acknowledging limitations regarding elderly participant representation.
  • Synthesis of information to inform geriatric-specific treatment considerations.

Main Results:

  • Targeted therapies represent a significant advancement in cancer treatment.
  • Most data on targeted therapies are extrapolated from trials not specifically designed for elderly populations.
  • Older patients in clinical trials are often underrepresented, potentially limiting generalizability.

Conclusions:

  • Elderly patients require careful patient selection and geriatric evaluation for targeted cancer therapy.
  • Appropriate drug selection, dosing, and monitoring are essential for safe and effective treatment in older adults.
  • Despite data limitations, targeted therapies can be a major step forward for older cancer patients when administered with care.

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