Pemetrexed monotherapy for chemo-naïve elderly (aged ≥80) patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer: results from combined analysis of two single arm phase II studies (HANSHIN002 and 003)

A randomized phase II study of docetaxel or pemetrexed with or without the continuation of gefitinib after disease progression in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR mutations (JMTO LC12-01)

BACKGROUND

Gefitinib (G) is a recommended molecular-targeted agent for elderly patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Docetaxel (Doc) and pemetrexed (Pem) have similar efficacies, and either is often used as the sole agent during treatment. The efficacy of continuing G after progressive disease (PD) develops has been reported. It remains unclear whether the continuation of G in combination with a single cytotoxic agent beyond PD is beneficial for elderly patients. Here, we conducted a randomized phase II study to assess the efficacy and safety of cytotoxic chemotherapy with G for elderly patients with progressive EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

METHODS

Elderly patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC with PD previously treated with G were enrolled. Patients received Pem 500 mg/m or Doc 60 mg/m every 21 days and were randomly assigned to receive chemotherapy with 250 mg G (G+ Doc/Pem arm) or without G (Doc/Pem arm) until further disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

RESULTS

This trial was terminated early owing to slow accrual. A group of 22 patients underwent analysis. The primary endpoint, progression-free survival (PFS), was significantly longer in the G + Doc/Pem arm (median: 1.6 months vs. 5.6 months, hazard ratio = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.16-0.99, p = 0.0391). Adverse events ≥ grade 3 were more frequent in the G + Doc/Pem arm (45.5% vs. 90.9%, p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients on G and Pem or Doc beyond PD showed a longer PFS than those on single-agent chemotherapy; however, it was associated with increased toxicity.

A Review of Recent Advances in the Treatment of Elderly and Poor Performance NSCLC

Until recently, chemotherapy has remained the mainstay of treatment for the majority of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Excellent responses have been observed with immune-checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted treatments for those tumours with actionable mutations, resulting in a paradigm shift in the treatment approach for these patients. Elderly patients and those with poor performance status (PS), such as Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 2, have historically been excluded from clinical trials due to poor outcomes. There is therefore a lack of data to define the optimal treatment strategy for these patients. Due to improved tolerability of novel therapies, inclusion of these patients in clinical trials has increased, and sub-group analyses have identified many treatments demonstrating potential activity. Here, we summarise key recent advances in the treatment of NSCLC, specifically evaluating their efficacy and tolerability in these patient cohorts.

Clinical pharmacology of oncology agents in older adults: A comprehensive review of how chronologic and functional age can influence treatment-related effects

Unique challenges exist when managing older adults with cancer. Associations between cancer and age-related physiologic changes have a direct impact on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cancer therapies and can affect drug dosing, dose intensity, efficacy, safety and quality of life. The breadth and depth of these issues, however, have not been fully evaluated because the majority of clinical trials have focused on a younger and healthier population. As a consequence, little information is available to support clinicians in making evidence-based decisions regarding treatment with cancer therapies in older adults, especially those over age 75. Prior clinical pharmacology reviews summarized the literature on how age-related physiologic changes can influence and affect conventional and targeted anti-cancer treatments. Our article provides an updated review with expanded information that includes small molecule kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapies, hormonal, conventional, and miscellaneous agents. Additionally, our article integrates how functional age, determined by the geriatric assessment (GA), can also influence treatment-related effects and health outcomes. Broadening cancer therapy trials to capture not only chronologic age but also functional age would allow clinicians to better identify subsets of older adults who benefit from treatment versus those most vulnerable to morbidity and/or mortality.