A comparative study on safety and efficacy of FOLFOX4 treatment in elderly versus young patients with advanced colorectal cancer / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the safety and efficacy of FOLFOX4 regiment in elderly versus young patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Methods There were 61 patients enrolled in this study, with 28 elderly patients aged 70 years and over, 33 young patients aged less than 70 years.They suffered from advanced/recurrent colorectal cancer and received FOLFOX4 regiment (Oxaliplatin +CF+5-FU). Every 14 days were as a cycle, and the therapeutic safety and efficacy were evaluated after three cycles. Adverse events and response to treatment were compared between the elderly and young patients. Results The main adverse effects were myelosuppression, gastrointestinal disturbance and neurotoxicity. The incidence rate of diarrhea was significantly higher in elderly patients than in young patients, but the most of diarrhea were at grade Ⅰ - Ⅱ. The incidence rates of leucocyte decrease and neutrophil decrease were higher in elderly patients than in young patients (92. 8% vs. 78. 8%, 39.3% vs. 36.3%), but there were no statistically significant differences between them. The incidence rate of neurotoxicity was 46.5% in elderly patients and 36.4% in young patients (P＞0. 05). The recent efficacy rate was 25%, disease control rate was 71.4% and median time-to-progression (TTP) was 6 months in elderly patients and 24.2%, 84.8% and 7 months in young patients (all P＞0.05). Conclusions FOLFOX4 regiment is well-tolerated and effective in both young and elderly patients.