Elderly Patients Benefit From Second-Line Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: A Subset Analysis of a Randomized Phase III Trial of Pemetrexed Compared With Docetaxel in Patients With Previously Treated Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Elderly patient participation was similar to rates observed in the first-line setting. There was no significant difference in outcome or toxicity between elderly and younger patients. For elderly patients with advanced NSCLC and good performance status, second-line cytotoxic therapy is appropriate. In this subset, pemetrexed produced a more favorable toxicity profile.