Chemotherapy in the elderly: pharmacologic considerations.

Overview

BACKGROUND: The aging of the population has focused interest on the care of elderly cancer patients. A better understanding of the effects of chemotherapeutic agents on older patients with cancer will help to determine the appropriate use of chemotherapy for this age group. METHODS: The authors review recent studies and present pharmacokinetic data on several chemotherapeutic agents, particularly those that have recently become available. RESULTS: Agents such as gemcitabine, vinorelbine, the taxanes, anthracyclines, platinum compounds, topoisomerase I and II inhibitors, and the oral fluoropyrimidines appear to have a beneficial therapeutic index in elderly patients. CONCLUSIONS: Careful attention to the physiologic changes associated with aging, along with dose adjustments for end-organ dysfunction (eg, renal and hepatic), is necessary to ensure the safe administration of antitumor chemotherapy to the elderly.