Elderly and younger patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) derive similar benefit from second-line chemotherapy: A retrospective subset analysis of second-line chemotherapy trials conducted from the Hellenic Cooperative Research Group (HORG).

Abstract

7564 Background: Elderly patients (pts) achieve a similar survival benefit, with acceptable toxicity, from first-line chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced NSCLC compared with their younger counterparts. There have been no second-line trials specifically designed for elderly pts and few data exist on the efficacy and tolerability of second-line therapy in this population. Moreover, little if any information exists on the frequency of administration of second-line chemotherapy in these pts. Methods: The files of 2004 pts with advanced NSCLC enrolled into first-line chemotherapy trials performed by HORG from 1995 to 2007 were reviewed. A total of 600 pts who received second-line chemotherapy within the context of clinical trials were identified. Patients’ data were analysed for efficacy and toxicity according to age. Results: Second-line chemotherapy was administered in 24% and 34% of pts ≥65 and <65 years old after failure of prior therapy (p=0.0001). A total of 219 (24.8%) of 600 pts who received second-line treatment were ≥65 years old (median age 70 yrs, range 65-82). Response rates to second-line therapy were 11.9% for older pts compared to 12.3% for younger pts (p=ns). TTP was 2.8 and 3.1 months for older and younger pts, respectively (p=ns). Elderly pts receiving second-line chemotherapy had a median survival of 7.7 months compared with 8.2 months for younger pts (p=ns). Similar rates of haematological and non-haematological toxicities were encountered between the two groups. Conclusions: The participation of elderly pts to second-line chemotherapy trials was lower compared to younger patients. There was no significant difference in outcome or toxicity between elderly and younger pts. For elderly pts with advanced NSCLC and good performance status, second-line chemotherapy is appropriate. However, specific second-line trials in older pts are required since those included in the current analysis were probably highly selected to fit the inclusion criteria.