Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors for non-small-cell lung cancer patients aged 80 years or older: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

The efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor‑tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‑TKIs) in elderly patients with non‑small‑cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains uncertain. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of EGFR‑TKIs for NSCLC patients aged ≥80 years. We analyzed data from 21 NSCLC patients aged ≥80 years who were administered gefitinib and/or erlotinib between January, 2009 and December, 2014. The clinical characteristics, smoking status, type of EFGR mutation and the efficacy and toxicity of EGFR‑TKIs were evaluated in these patients. In total, 14 (66.7%), 5 (23.8%) and 2 patients (9.5%) displayed partial response, stable disease and progressive disease, respectively. The median progression‑free survival was 182 days, whereas the median overall survival was 371 days. adverse events ≥grade 2 were as follows: skin toxicities, 12 patients; liver function test abnormalities, 7 patients; anorexia, 3 patients; and diarrhea, 2 patients. Dose reduction of EGFR‑TKIs due to adverse events was required in 15 patients (71.4%). Although gefitinib and erlotinib therapy may be beneficial in patients aged ≥80 years, EGFR‑TKI dose modification may be necessary according to the overall medical condition of elderly patients. Further studies are required to evaluate our findings.