Trends in chemotherapy for elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer: The experience of one institution

Abstract

e19081 Background: In approximately the year 2000, the results of a number of important studies of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were published. These included the first elderly-specific phase III trial and phase III trials showing a survival benefit for docetaxel when used as second-line chemotherapy. These results had a significant impact on clinical practice relating to advanced NSCLC in elderly patients. Methods: Between July 1992 and December 2003, 223 patients with NSCLC aged ≥70 years received chemotherapy alone as their initial treatment at the National Cancer Center Hospital East. These patients were divided into 2 groups: those that began treatment between 1992 and 1999 (group A) and between 2000 and 2003 (group B). The details of chemotherapy regimens and outcomes were compared. Results: In group A, 83% of patients received platinum-based chemotherapy, two-thirds of these regimens comprised platinum[[Unsupported Character - ]]plus second-generation combination chemotherapy. In contrast, although 55% of patients received platinum-based chemotherapy in group B, 41% of patients received non-platinum-based chemotherapy. Among patients in group B, performance status was significantly associated with the selection of platinum-based or non- platinum-based chemotherapy; age was marginally associated with this selection. In group A, second-line chemotherapy was administered to only 4 patients (5%) and no patients received third-line chemotherapy. In group B, second-line and third-line chemotherapy was administered to 62 (42%) and 22 (15%) patients, respectively. Median survival time (MST), 1-year survival rate, and 2 year-survival rate were 6.7 months, 14%, and 7%, respectively, in group A, and 8.1 months, 35%, and 20% in group B (p = 0.0109). However, these differences disappeared when patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) were removed from the analysis (6.7 months in group A vs. 6.9 months in group B, p = 0.3684). Conclusions: In and after the year 2000, chemotherapy regimens changed greatly and survival of elderly patients significantly improved. However, the improvement in survival seems to be due mostly to the use of EGFR-TKI treatment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.