Thesis defense Marie-Rose Crombag anti-cancer drugs in the elderly

PK and PD not altered

This thesis presents several studies to evaluate the impact of older age on clinical use and PK and PD of various anticancer treatment options. For the majority of drugs, PK and PD do not appear to be altered in the aging patient population. A priori dose reductions solely based on age are, therefore, not advisable and may threaten optimal treatment outcome. 

Docetaxel

For some highly toxic treatments, such as docetaxel, intensified monitoring and use of prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in elderly patients may improve treatment tolerability and ultimately survival. Although there is still a paucity of data to draw firm conclusions on the impact of older age on several anticancer drugs, enrollment of elderly patients in oncological pivotal trials seems to have improved. 

Checkpoint inhibitors

For checkpoint inhibitors, the age distribution of the pivotal trial cohorts appears to be representative for those treated with these drugs as part of clinical care. This is promising and will hopefully accelerate knowledge on the impact of older age on PK and PD of new anticancer drugs.

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