[Systemic treatments in older patients with cancer]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The global population is aging, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of older patients diagnosed with cancer.
• Recent advancements in anti-tumour therapies, including immunotherapies, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates, have shown significant promise in both curative and metastatic settings.
• Elderly cancer patients are underrepresented in clinical trials, limiting the evaluation of novel treatments in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the challenges and need for evaluating novel anti-tumour therapies in the growing population of elderly cancer patients.
• To emphasize the importance of considering age-related frailty when adjusting the intensity of cancer treatments for older adults.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advancements in anti-tumour therapies (immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, antibody-drug conjugates).
• Analysis of the limited data available on the efficacy and safety of these therapies in elderly cancer patients.
• Discussion of the specific challenges in treating older adults, including age-related frailty and the need for treatment adaptation.

Main Results:

• Novel anti-tumour therapies have demonstrated significant advances in cancer treatment.
• There is a substantial lack of data regarding the evaluation of these new treatments in elderly cancer patients.
• Elderly patients often require adjustments to treatment intensity due to frailty, which is not adequately addressed in current research.

Conclusions:

• Novel cancer therapies require further investigation and tailored evaluation in elderly populations.
• Addressing the frailty and unique needs of older adults is crucial for optimizing cancer treatment outcomes.
• Increased inclusion of elderly patients in clinical trials is essential for evidence-based geriatric oncology practice.