Cetuximab efficacy and safety in a retrospective cohort of elderly patients with heavily pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2008 Sep;67(3):255-62. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2008.02.003. Epub 2008 Apr 8.

Abstract

Background: Few data are available from clinical trials for elderly patients receiving cetuximab.

Patients and methods: The clinical data of consecutive patients aged > or =70 years given cetuximab for metastatic CRC were retrospectively captured from hospital pharmacy registries in seven centers.

Results: Fifty-six patients received cetuximab+/-with irinotecan. Median age was 76 years (70-84), 86% of patients were pretreated with fluoropyrimidines, irinotecan and oxaliplatin and 69.6% had documented resistance to irinotecan. Objective response rate was 21% (95% CI: 11-32%). The median progression-free survival was 4.4 months (95% CI: 3.0-5.7 months) and the median overall survival was 16.0 months (95% CI: 13.5-18.5 months). Skin rash occurred in 75% of the patients (11% grade 3) and diarrhea in 80% (20% grades 3-4).

Conclusion: Tolerability of cetuximab was acceptable in elderly patients with pretreated metastatic CRC. Efficacy appeared similar to that observed in younger patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Camptothecin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Camptothecin / therapeutic use
  • Cetuximab
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Irinotecan
  • Male
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / drug therapy
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / therapy
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use*
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Pyrimidines
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Irinotecan
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Cetuximab
  • Camptothecin