Comparison of chemotherapy side effects between elderly and young subjects

UNLABELLED: With the aging of society, the number of elderly patients receiving chemotherapy has increased. Since organ function, particularly the liver and kidney function, is known to decrease with age, there is concern that severe side effects may develop in the elderly because of chemotherapy. It is a considerable challenge to establish safe, effective chemotherapy that enables elderly patients to maintain a favorable QOL. Therefore, we conducted a survey of the current status of chemotherapy side effects. METHODS: The subjects were patients enrolled in physician-led clinical trials between April 2006 and December 2010. A survey of the chemotherapy regimens used, PS, and, side effects(CTC-AE v3.0)was conducted to examine differences in the incidence and Grade of side effects between elderly and younger subjects(aged 65 years or older, and younger than 65 years, respectively). The subjects consisted of9 3 elderly and younger people, with mean ages of 70 and 59. 5 years, respectively. Myelosuppression of Grade 3, or more severe side effects in the elderly and younger subjects, was 22. 5% and 16. 3%, respectively. The incidence of side effects was slightly higher in the elderly than in the younger subjects. In general clinical practice, side effects are controlled by selecting regimens and adjusting doses for the elderly. However, in clinical trials in which the dosage is predetermined regardless of age, the elderly are more prone to develop side effects than young people. We compare and present the current status regarding the side effects, effectiveness, and contents of chemotherapy regimens.