Weekly low dose irinotecan and daily oral anticancer drug chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients more than 75 years old

Abstract

14594 Background: The percentage of CRC patients more than 75 years old is expected to rise in Japan, too. However we have little data on the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy in elderly MCRC patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the objective tumor response rates and toxicities in elderly MCRC patients treated weekly low dose irinotecan and daily oral anticancer drug (UFT or S-1) chemotherapy. Methods: Patients with MCRC were treated on an out-patient treatment basis with irinotecan 60mg/m(2) as an intravenous 90 minutes infusion on weekly plus UFT 300 mg/m(2) or S-1 60 mg/m(2) in 2 divided doses given orally on day 1 to 5 in every week. All the lesions were evaluated with CT and/or MRI scan. Results: From 2001 to 2005, we treated 20 elderly MCRC patients. There were 13 men and 7 women. Fourteen patients were 75∼79 years old and 6 patients were 80 years or more. Chemotherapy was given more than 3 months (3∼30M). To date, 495 cycles (median 24, range 7–98) have been administered. There were 8 PR, 10 SD and 2 PD. The overall response rate was 40% and disease control rate (PR + SD) was seen 90% of pts. Progression free survival time of this regimen is 9.3 months. Median survival time was 16.0 months. One and 2 years survival rates were 72% and 13%. No toxic death was reported. There was no grade III/IV toxicity and all adverse events were manageable. All patients were treated on an out-patient clinic. Conclusions: These results confirmed that this chemotherapy combination is active with acceptable tolerability and QOL maintenance in elderly patients with MCRC. Chemotherapy in elderly patients with MCRC should not be influenced by the chronologic age of the patient. No significant financial relationships to disclose.