Background: Although the efficacy and safety of combining first-line chemotherapy with bevacizumab in elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is supported by the results of a phase III trial, real-practice data are limited.
Patients and methods: Our multi-center, community-based observational study included 233 elderly patients with CRC (median age=73 years, range=70-84 years). Baseline comorbidities and geriatric evaluation were also analyzed. Pre-specified end-points of the study were safety, tolerability and outcome results.
Results: The incidence of both chemotherapy-induced and specific bevacizumab-related toxicities was low, and not influenced by baseline concurrent morbidities. Median progression free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) were 9.9 months and 23.6 months, respectively. Fifty-six percent of patients received second-line chemotherapy.
Conclusion: The upfront treatment of older patients with CRC with chemotherapy and bevacizumab is safe and efficacious in a real-world setting. No un expected toxicities were reported. Multi-dimensional geriatric evaluation is under-used in clinical practice.
Keywords: advanced colorectal cancer; bevacizumab; italian study; older patients.
Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.