Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Publication Date

2015

Journal Title

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. At diagnosis, half of the patients are over 70 years of age, and most present with advanced disease, for which chemotherapy is recommended as first-line treatment. However, the benefit from such therapy is modest and it is at times poorly tolerated. The discovery of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has significantly impacted the treatment of patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced NSCLC. These novel agents demonstrate efficacy and a favorably mild toxicity profile. Despite limited data in elderly patients, the largest subpopulation in NSCLC, EGFR-TKIs are considered the standard of care therapy for advanced EGFR-positive disease in the elderly. In this review, we seek to compile the available data about the EGFR-TKIs use in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC, with the hope to better understand its role in this major yet, underrepresented, group of patients.

Volume Number

15

Issue Number

11

Pages

1327-36

Document Type

Article

EPub Date

2015/09/29

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Hematology/Medical Oncology

PMID

26414352

DOI

10.1586/14737140.2015.1092385

For the public and Northwell Health campuses

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