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Cancer treatment protocols. Who gets chosen?
J S Goodwin1, W C Hunt, C G Humble
1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Abstract:
We compared the age distribution of all adults in New Mexico with cancer incident from 1959 through 1982 with that of all adult New Mexican patients enrolled in cancer treatment protocols sponsored by the Southwest Oncology Group (New Mexico). For all cancer sites, elderly patients were substantially underrepresented in the Southwest Oncology Group protocols. While 31% of all adult patients with cancer were over age 70 years, only 7% of patients with cancer enrolled in Southwest Oncology Group protocols were in that age group. The underrepresentation of elderly individuals in cancer treatment protocols will make it difficult to determine optimal therapies for older patients with cancer.
Insights
Elderly cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials. Only 7% of participants were over 70, compared to 31% of all cancer patients, hindering the development of optimal cancer therapies for older adults.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Clinical Trial Design
Background:
- Clinical trials are crucial for advancing cancer treatment.
- The aging population presents unique challenges in cancer care.
- Representation of diverse age groups in trials is essential for generalizable results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the age distribution of adult cancer patients in New Mexico with those enrolled in Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) protocols.
- To identify potential underrepresentation of elderly patients in cancer clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of cancer incidence data in New Mexico (1959-1982).
- Comparison with patient data from SWOG-sponsored cancer treatment protocols in New Mexico during the same period.
- Age-specific demographic analysis.
Main Results:
- Elderly patients (over 70 years) constituted 31% of all adult cancer cases in New Mexico.
- Only 7% of adult cancer patients enrolled in SWOG protocols were over 70 years.
- Significant underrepresentation of elderly individuals in SWOG cancer treatment protocols was observed across all cancer sites.
Conclusions:
- Elderly patients are substantially underrepresented in SWOG cancer treatment protocols.
- This underrepresentation may impede the development of effective and tailored cancer therapies for the geriatric population.
- Further efforts are needed to ensure equitable inclusion of older adults in clinical research.