Molecular-targeted therapy for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in men and women. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents close to 90% of all lung cancers. When diagnosed, >50% of patients are >65 years old. Through an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in lung oncogenesis, molecular-targeted approaches have become an essential element for the treatment of patients with NSCLC. As the toxicity profiles of the techniques are definitely more favorable compared with chemotherapy, they are particularly attractive for use in elderly patients, who are potentially more susceptible to the toxicity of systemic oncological therapies. However, studies on the activity of molecular-targeted agents in this aged patient setting are much more limited compared with those in t

SUBMITTER: Antonelli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4727120 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature