Geriatric assessment in older patients with breast cancer

Patient Characteristics Associated with Intended Nonguideline Chemotherapy in Women with Stage I to IIIA Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

Guidelines informing chemotherapy regimen selection are based on clinical trials with participants who do not necessarily represent general populations with breast cancer. Understanding who receives nonguideline regimens is important for understanding real-world chemotherapy administration and how it relates to patient outcomes.

METHODS

Using data from the Optimal Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Dosing (OBCD) study, based at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (2006-2019) and Kaiser Permanente Washington (2004-2015), we use logistic regression to examine the associations between patient characteristics and receipt of nonguideline chemotherapy regimens among 11,293 women with primary stage I to IIIA breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The use of nonguideline regimens was strongly associated with several factors, including older age [≥80 vs. 18-39 years: OR, 5.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.06-9.00; P-trend = 0.002] and HER2 status (HER2+ vs. HER2-: OR, 3.44; 95% CI, 3.06-3.87) and was less likely in women with larger tumor size (>5 cm vs. 0.1 to ≤0.5 cm: OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36-0.87; P-trend = 0.01) and diagnosed in later years (2012-2019 vs. 2005-2011: OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.90). Factors associated varied by type of nonguideline regimens. For example, women with comorbidity and older age were more likely to receive nonguideline drug combinations in particular, whereas women with larger tumor size were less likely to receive nonguideline administration schedules.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonguideline chemotherapy regimens are more likely in certain patient populations.

IMPACT

These associations highlight that vulnerable patient populations may be less likely to receive guideline care, and thus, real-world studies are essential for understanding how the use of nonguideline regimens impacts patient outcomes in these groups.

Geriatric Breast Cancer: Staging, Molecular Surrogates, and Treatment. A Review & Meta-analysis

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most frequent cancers in females across the globe. Treatment recommendations for BC patients are primarily driven by patient age, staging and tumor molecular subtype. Thus, we updated the general overview of BC staging, molecular surrogates, and treatment choices for women >70 years based on a systematic study encompassing the years 2013-2023. A PRISMA guidelines and PICO framework were followed, and relevant research articles were searched using different data bases (Web of Sciences, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus). Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used for studies quality assessment. The research articles that made it into the systematic review were compiled using qualitative criteria. In the meanwhile, heterogeneity was determined using meta-analysis with RevMan 5.4. We applied a random effects model with a 0.05 significance level. Overall, there were 4151 research articles, after screening only 17 articles with 39,906 patients were included. Conclusion: Elderly patients with breast cancer should be treated differently in an adapted way. The treatment should not be the same worldwide due to different health systems. Molecular surrogates are different in geriatric patients. Surgery is the best option for treatment in this subset of patients. We need to have therapeutic decision appointments for elderly patients with breast cancer. The guidelines and medical authority should be used in the best decision.

Advocate-BREAST80+: A Comprehensive Patient and Advocate-Led Study to Enhance Breast Cancer Care Delivery and Patient-Centered Research in Women Aged ≥80 Years

BACKGROUND

There are limited evidence-based data to guide treatment recommendations for breast cancer (BC) patients ≥80 years (P80+). Identifying and addressing unmet needs are critical.

AIMS

Advocate-BREAST80+ compared the needs of P80+ vs. patients < 80 years (P80-).

METHODS

In 12/2021, a REDCap survey was electronically circulated to 6918 persons enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Breast Disease Registry. The survey asked about concerns and satisfaction with multiple aspects of BC care.

RESULTS

Overall, 2437 participants responded (35% response rate); 202 (8.3%) were P80+. P80+ were less likely to undergo local regional and systemic therapies vs. P80- (p < 0.01). Notably, P80+ were significantly less satisfied with information about the short and long-term side effects of BC therapies and managing toxicities. P80+ were also less likely to have participated in a clinical trial (p < 0.001) or to want to do so in the future (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although P80+ experienced less anxiety and symptom-related distress compared with P80-, they were significantly less satisfied with information regarding the side effects of BC therapies and their management. P80+ were significantly less likely to have participated in a clinical trial or be open to considering this option. Future studies should address educational needs pertaining to side effects and barriers to research participation in P80+.

Multicenter Study on Breast Cancer in the Geriatric Population: Insights for Effective Treatment Strategies

OBJECTIVE

Breast cancer is common among women aged 65 and over. There is a significant lack of evidence regarding the treatment of breast cancer in patients in this age group due to the rare inclusion of these patients in clinical studies. However, it is known that survival in elderly patients with breast cancer is significantly reduced in those not receiving standard therapy. Several factors, including patients' comorbidities, performance status, life expectancy, and tumor pathological and molecular characteristics, can affect the outcomes of treatment. In this study, we aimed to update the knowledge in this field by assessing these factors among the geriatric population in our multicenter dataset.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed data from 335 breast cancer patients aged 65 and over who received adjuvant radiotherapy at five oncology centers (Kartal Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Meram Medical Faculty - Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, Istanbul, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, and Istanbul Oncology Hospital, Istanbul) between May 2010 and September 2022. Demographic, clinical, and pathological data were collected, including age, gender, clinical symptoms, tumor characteristics, treatment approaches, and outcomes. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis, were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22 (Released 2013; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The tumor characteristics and survival time of 335 breast cancer patients were examined. In the results, performance status, T stage, and perineural invasion were found to be factors affecting the survival of elderly breast cancer patients. In multivariate analysis, it was seen that performance status played an important role as an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of breast cancer in the geriatric age group necessitates a personalized approach, taking into account the patient's overall health status, life expectancy, and comorbidities.

Validation of the 70-gene signature test (MammaPrint) to identify patients with breast cancer aged ≥ 70 years with ultralow risk of distant recurrence: A population-based cohort study

INTRODUCTION

When risk estimation in older patients with hormone receptor positive breast cancer (HR + BC) is based on the same factors as in younger patients, age-related factors regarding recurrence risk and other-cause mortality are not considered. Genomic risk assessment could help identify patients with ultralow risk BC who can forgo adjuvant treatment. However, assessment tools should be validated specifically for older patients. This study aims to determine whether the 70-gene signature test (MammaPrint) can identify patients with HR + BC aged ≥70 years with ultralow risk for distant recurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Inclusion criteria: ≥70 years; invasive HR + BC; T1-2N0-3M0.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

HER2 + BC; neoadjuvant therapy. MammaPrint assays were performed following standardized protocols. Clinical risk was determined with St. Gallen risk classification. Primary endpoint was 10-year cumulative incidence rate of distant recurrence in relation to genomic risk. Subdistribution hazard ratios (sHR) were estimated from Fine and Gray analyses. Multivariate analyses were adjusted for adjuvant endocrine therapy and clinical risk.

RESULTS

This study included 418 patients, median age 78 years (interquartile range [IQR] 73-83). Sixty percent of patients were treated with endocrine therapy. MammaPrint classified 50 patients as MammaPrint-ultralow, 224 patients as MammaPrint-low, and 144 patients as MammaPrint-high risk. Regarding clinical risk, 50 patients were classified low, 237 intermediate, and 131 high. Discordance was observed between clinical and genomic risk in 14 MammaPrint-ultralow risk patients who were high clinical risk, and 84 patients who were MammaPrint-high risk, but low or intermediate clinical risk. Median follow-up was 9.2 years (IQR 7.9-10.5). The 10-year distant recurrence rate was 17% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11-23) in MammaPrint-high risk patients, 8% (4-12) in MammaPrint-low (HR 0.46; 95%CI 0.25-0.84), and 2% (0-6) in MammaPrint-ultralow risk patients (HR 0.11; 95%CI 0.02-0.81). After adjustment for clinical risk and endocrine therapy, MammaPrint-high risk patients still had significantly higher 10-year distant recurrence rate than MammaPrint-low (sHR 0.49; 95%CI 0.26-0.90) and MammaPrint-ultralow patients (sHR 0.12; 95%CI 0.02-0.85). Of the 14 MammaPrint-ultralow, high clinical risk patients none developed a distant recurrence.

DISCUSSION

These data add to the evidence validating MammaPrint's ultralow risk threshold. Even in high clinical risk patients, MammaPrint-ultralow risk patients remained recurrence-free ten years after diagnosis. These findings justify future studies into using MammaPrint to individualize adjuvant treatment in older patients.

Economic Perspective of Cancer Care and Its Consequences for Vulnerable Groups

Simple Summary

For cancer patients, many different reasons can cause financial burdens and economic threads. Sociodemographic factors, rural/remote location and income are known determinants for these vulnerable groups. This economic vulnerability is related to the reduced utilization of cancer care and the impact on outcome. Financial burden has been reported in many countries throughout the world and needs to be addressed as part of the sufficient quality of cancer care.

Abstract

Within healthcare systems in all countries, vulnerable groups of patients can be identified and are characterized by the reduced utilization of available healthcare. Many different reasons can be attributed to this observation, summarized as implementation barriers involving acceptance, accessibility, affordability, acceptability and quality of care. For many patients, cancer care is specifically associated with the occurrence of vulnerability due to the complex disease, very different target groups and delivery situations (from prevention to palliative care) as well as cost-intensive care. Sociodemographic factors, such as educational level, rural/remote location and income, are known determinants for these vulnerable groups. However, different forms of financial burdens likely influence this vulnerability in cancer care delivery in a distinct manner. In a narrative review, these socioeconomic challenges are summarized regarding their occurrence and consequences to current cancer care. Overall, besides direct costs such as for treatment, many facets of indirect costs including survivorship costs for the cancer patients and their social environment need to be considered regarding the impact on vulnerability, treatment compliance and abundance. In addition, individual cancer-related financial burden might also affect the society due to the loss of productivity and workforce availability. Healthcare providers are requested to address this vulnerability during the treatment of cancer patients.

Functional Status and Survival in Older Nursing Home Residents With Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A SEER-Medicare Analysis

PURPOSE

Many older patients with advanced lung cancer have functional limitations and require skilled nursing home care. Function, assessed using activities of daily living (ADL) scores, may help prognostication. We investigated the relationship between ADL impairment and overall survival among older patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving care in nursing homes.

METHODS

Using the SEER-Medicare database linked with Minimum Data Set assessments, we identified patients age 65 years and older with NSCLC who received care in nursing homes from 2011 to 2015. We used Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival curves to examine the relationship between ADL scores and overall survival among all patients; among patients who received systemic cancer chemotherapy or immunotherapy within 3 months of NSCLC diagnosis; and among patients who did not receive any treatment.

RESULTS

We included 3,174 patients (mean [standard deviation] age, 77 [7.4] years [range, 65-102 years]; 1,664 [52.4%] of female sex; 394 [12.4%] of non-Hispanic Black race/ethnicity), 415 (13.1%) of whom received systemic therapy, most commonly with carboplatin-based regimens (n = 357 [86%] patients). The median overall survival was 3.1 months for patients with ADL score < 14, 2.8 months for patients with ADL score between 14 and 17, 2.3 months for patients with ADL score between 18-19, and 1.8 months for patients with ADL score 20+ (log-rank P < .001). The ADL score was associated with increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.25 per standard deviation). One standard deviation increase in the ADL score was associated with lower overall survival rate among treated (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.27) and untreated (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.26) patients.

CONCLUSION

ADL assessment stratified mortality outcomes among older nursing home adults with NSCLC, and may be a useful clinical consideration in this population.

New directions in cancer and aging: State of the science and recommendations to improve the quality of evidence on the intersection of aging with cancer control

Background

The global population of older cancer survivors is growing. However, the intersections of aging‐related health risks across the cancer control continuum are poorly understood, limiting the integration of aging into cancer control research and practice. The objective of this study was to review the state of science and provide future directions to improve the quality of evidence in 6 priority research areas in cancer and aging.

Methods

The authors identified priority research areas in cancer and aging through an evidence‐based Research Jam process involving 32 investigators and trainees from multiple disciplines and research centers in aging and cancer; then, they conducted a narrative review of the state of the science and future directions to improve the quality of evidence in these research areas. Priority research areas were defined as those in which gaps in scientific evidence or clinical practice limit the health and well‐being of older adults with cancer.

Results

Six priority research areas were identified: cognitive and physical functional outcomes of older cancer survivors, sampling issues in studies of older cancer survivors, risk and resilience across the lifespan, caregiver support and well‐being, quality of care for older patients with cancer, and health disparities. Evidence in these areas could be improved through the incorporation of bias reduction techniques into longitudinal studies of older cancer survivors, novel data linkage, and improved representation of older adults in cancer research.

Conclusions

The priority research areas and methodologies identified here may be used to guide interdisciplinary research and improve the quality of evidence on cancer and aging.

The population of older cancer survivors is growing, yet the effects of aging‐related health risks across the cancer control continuum remain poorly understood. This article identifies research areas that may be used to guide interdisciplinary research and improve the quality of evidence on cancer and aging.

Nutrition in Cancer Therapy in the Elderly-An Epigenetic Connection?

The continuous increase in life expectancy results in a steady increase of cancer risk, which consequently increases the population of older adults with cancer. Older adults have their age-related nutritional needs and often suffer from comorbidities that may affect cancer therapy. They frequently are malnourished and present advanced-stage cancer. Therefore, this group of patients requires a special multidisciplinary approach to optimize their therapy and increase quality of life impaired by aging, cancer, and the side effects of therapy. Evaluation strategies, taking advantage of comprehensive geriatric assessment tools, including the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), can help individualize treatment. As epigenetics, an emerging element of the regulation of gene expression, is involved in both aging and cancer and the epigenetic profile can be modulated by the diet, it seems to be a candidate to assist with planning a nutritional intervention in elderly populations with cancer. In this review, we present problems associated with the diet and nutrition in the elderly undergoing active cancer therapy and provide some information on epigenetic aspects of aging and cancer transformation. Nutritional interventions modulating the epigenetic profile, including caloric restriction and basal diet with modifications (elimination diet, supplementary diet) are discussed as the ways to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy and maintain the quality of life of older adults with cancer.

Motivation and mortality in older women with early stage breast cancer: A longitudinal study with ten years of follow-up

OBJECTIVES

The Getting Out of Bed Scale (GOB) was validated as a health-related quality of life (HRQoL) variable in older women with early stage breast cancer, suggesting its potential as a concise yet powerful measure of motivation. The aim of our project was to assess the association between GOB and mortality over 10years of follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 660 women ≥65-years old diagnosed with stage I-IIIA primary breast cancer. Data were collected over 10years of follow-up from interviews, medical records, and death indexes.

RESULTS

Compared to women with lower GOB scores, women with higher GOB had an unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause mortality of 0.78 at 5years, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.52, 1.19) and 0.77 at 10years, 95%CI (0.59, 1.00). These associations diminished after adjusting for age and stage of breast cancer, and further after adjusting for other HRQoL variables including physical function, mental health, emotional health, psychosocial function, and social support. Unadjusted HRs of breast cancer-specific mortality were 0.92, 95%CI (0.49, 1.74), at 5years, and 0.82, 95%CI (0.52, 1.32), at 10years. These associations also decreased in adjusted models.

CONCLUSION

Women with higher GOB scores had a lower hazard of all-cause mortality in unadjusted analysis. This effect diminished after adjusting for confounding clinical and HRQoL variables. GOB is a measure of motivation that may not be independently associated with cancer mortality, but reflects other HRQoL variables making it a potential outcome to monitor in older patients with cancer.

Outcomes After Mastectomy and Lumpectomy in Elderly Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Survival in elderly patients undergoing mastectomy or lumpectomy has not been specifically analyzed.

METHODS

Patients older than 70 years of age with clinical stage I invasive breast cancer, undergoing mastectomy or lumpectomy with or without radiation, and surveyed within 3 years of their diagnosis, were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results and medicare health outcomes survey-linked dataset. The primary endpoint was breast cancer-specific survival (CSS).

RESULTS

Of 1784 patients, 596 (33.4 %) underwent mastectomy, 918 (51.4 %) underwent lumpectomy with radiation, and 270 (15.1 %) underwent lumpectomy alone. Significant differences were noted in age, tumor size, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage, lymph node status (all p < 0.0001) and number of positive lymph nodes between the three groups (p = 0.003). On univariate analysis, CSS for patients undergoing lumpectomy with radiation [hazard ratio (HR) 0.61, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.43-0.85; p = 0.004] was superior to mastectomy. Older age (HR 1.3, 95 % CI 1.09-1.45; p = 0.002), two or more comorbidities (HR 1.57, 95 % CI 1.08-2.26; p = 0.02), inability to perform more than two activities of daily living (HR 1.61, 95 % CI 1.06-2.44; p = 0.03), larger tumor size (HR 2.36, 95 % CI 1.85-3.02; p < 0.0001), and positive lymph nodes (HR 2.83, 95 % CI 1.98-4.04; p < 0.0001) were associated with worse CSS. On multivariate analysis, larger tumor size (HR 1.89, 95 % CI 1.37-2.57; p < 0.0001) and positive lymph node status (HR 1.99, 95 % CI 1.36-2.9; p = 0.0004) independently predicted worse survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer undergoing breast conservation have better CSS than those undergoing mastectomy. After adjusting for comorbidities and functional status, survival is dependent on tumor-specific variables. Determination of lymph node status remains important in staging elderly breast cancer patients.

Understanding cognition in older patients with cancer

Cancer and neurocognitive disorders, such as dementia and delirium, are common and serious diseases in the elderly that are accompanied by high degree of morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, evidence supports the under-diagnosis of both dementia and delirium in older adults. Complex questions exist regarding the interaction of dementia and delirium with cancer, beginning with guidelines on how best measure disease severity, the optimal screening test for either disorder, the appropriate level of intervention in the setting of abnormal findings, and strategies aimed at preventing the development or progression of either process. Ethical concerns emerge in the research setting, pertaining to the detection of cognitive dysfunction in participants, validity of consent, disclosure of abnormal results if screening is pursued, and recommended level of intervention by investigators. Furthermore, understanding the ways in which comorbid cognitive dysfunction and cancer impact both cancer and non-cancer-related outcomes is essential in guiding treatment decisions. In the following article, we will discuss what is presently known of the interactions of pre-existing cognitive impairment and delirium with cancer. We will also discuss identified deficits in our knowledge base, and propose ways in which innovative research may address these gaps.

Clinicopathologic Features and Long-Term Outcomes of Elderly Breast Cancer Patients: Experiences at a Single Institution in Korea

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the tumor characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes of adjuvant treatments after surgery with a curative aim for patients with breast cancer who are 65 years and older.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with breast cancer who underwent curative surgery from 2000 to 2009 were analyzed (n=4,388). Tumor characteristics and survival outcome were compared by dividing the patients into two age groups (< 65 and ≥ 65 years old). The Kaplan-Meier method was used for comparison of survival rates by log-rank test, and a Cox regression model was used to examine the effect of variables.

RESULTS

Among 4,388 patients with invasive breast cancer, 317 patients (7.2%) were 65 years or older and the median age of all patients was 47 years (range, 18 to 91 years). Tumor characteristics were similar between the two age groups, but the older patients were treated less often with adjuvant treatments. During a median follow-up period of 122 months, recurrence-free survival (RFS) was equivalent for patients 65 years and older compared to younger patients, but significantly worse in overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) (5-year OS, 94.3% vs. 90.5%; p < 0.001 and 5-year BCSS, 94.7% vs. 91.8%; p=0.031). In the multivariate model, age ≥ 65 years old was identified as an independent risk factor for OS and RFS.

CONCLUSION

Elderly breast cancer appeared to have worse outcomes with very low prevalence in Korea, despite similar tumor characteristics. More active adjuvant therapies would have a role for aggressive subtypes for fit, elderly patients.

Long-term cognitive function change among breast cancer survivors

Cognitive decline is a common health problem among breast cancer patients and understanding trajectories of cognitive change following among breast cancer survivors is an important public health goal. We conducted a longitudinal study to investigate the cognitive function changes from 18 month to 3 years after breast cancer diagnosis among participants of the Shanghai Breast cancer survivor study, a population-based cohort study of breast cancer survivors. In our study, we completed cognitive function evaluation for 1,300 breast cancer survivors at the 18th month's survey and 1,059 at 36th month's survey, respectively, using a battery of cognitive function measurements. We found the scores in attention and executive function, immediate memory and delayed memory significantly improved from 18 to 36 months after breast cancer diagnosis. The improvements appeared in breast cancer survivors receiving treatments (i.e., surgery, radiotherapy, tamoxifen, or chemotherapy combined with or without tamoxifen), but not in those who received neither chemotherapy nor tamoxifen treatment. The results indicate that cognitive functions, particularly immediate verbal episodic memory, and delayed memory significantly improved among breast cancer survivors from 18 to 36 months after cancer diagnosis. In general, comorbidity was inversely associated with the improvements.

The eight-item modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey: psychometric evaluation showed excellent performance

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation and validation of the psychometric properties of the eight-item modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (mMOS-SS).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Secondary analyses of data from three populations: Boston breast cancer study (N=660), Los Angeles breast cancer study (N=864), and Medical Outcomes Study (N=1,717). The psychometric evaluation of the eight-item mMOS-SS compared performance across populations and with the original 19-item Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SS). Internal reliability, factor structure, construct validity, and discriminant validity were evaluated using Cronbach's alpha, principal factor analysis (PFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Spearman and Pearson correlation, t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum tests.

RESULTS

mMOS-SS internal reliability was excellent in all three populations. PFA factor loadings were similar across populations; one factor >0.6, well-discriminated two factor (instrumental/emotional social support four items each) >0.5. CFA with a priori two-factor structure yielded consistently adequate model fit (root mean squared errors of approximation 0.054-0.074). mMOS-SS construct and discriminant validity were similar across populations and comparable to MOS-SS. Psychometric properties held when restricted to women aged ≥ 65 years.

CONCLUSION

The psychometric properties of the eight-item mMOS-SS were excellent and similar to those of the original 19-item instrument. Results support the use of briefer mMOS-SS instrument; better suited to multidimensional geriatric assessments and specifically in older women with breast cancer.

Paclitaxel efficacy and toxicity in older women with metastatic breast cancer: combined analysis of CALGB 9342 and 9840

BACKGROUND

Two Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) studies were utilized to determine the efficacy and tolerability of paclitaxel (Taxol) in older patients with metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CALGB 9840 evaluated weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) versus paclitaxel every 3 weeks (175 mg/m(2)); CALGB 9342 evaluated three doses of paclitaxel as follows: 175, 210 and 250 mg/m(2) each over 3 h every 3 weeks. Of the 1048 patients, paclitaxel was used first line in 57%. The groups: (i) <55 years (45%), (ii) 55-64 years (29%), and (iii) ≥65 years (26%).

RESULTS

Tumor response was also similar among age groups. First-line therapy (P = 0.0001) and better performance status (PS) (P = 0.018) were significantly related to higher response. Age did not significantly relate to overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS). First-line therapy, better PS, estrogen receptor positive status and a fewer number of metastatic sites were significantly related to improved OS and PFS. The grade ≥3 toxic effects that increased linearly with age were leucopenia (P = 0.0099), granulocytopenia (P = 0.022), anorexia (P = 0.028), bilirubin elevation (P = 0.0035) and neurotoxicity (P < 0.0001). Patients over 65 years receiving second-line therapy had the shortest time to neurotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Older women with breast cancer derive similar efficacy from treatment with paclitaxel as younger women. Older women are at increased risk for specific toxic effects.

An update on cancer- and chemotherapy-related cognitive dysfunction: current status

The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature on the effects of cancer treatment-related cognitive difficulties, with a focus on the effects of chemotherapy. Numerous patients have cognitive difficulties during and after cancer treatments and, for some, these effects last years after treatment. We do not yet fully understand which factors increase susceptibility to cognitive difficulties during treatment and which cause persistent problems. We review possible contributors, including genetic and biological factors. Mostly we focus is on cognitive effects of adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer; however, cognitive effects of chemotherapy on the elderly and brain tumor patients are also discussed.

Examining five- and ten-year survival in older women with breast cancer using cancer-specific geriatric assessment

PURPOSE

To examine five- and ten-year survival based on cancer-specific geriatric assessment (C-SGA) in older women with early stage breast cancer.

METHODS

We evaluated 660 women ≥65-years old diagnosed with stage I-IIIA primary breast cancer and attending physician permission to contact in four geographic regions in the United States of America (USA). Data were collected over ten-years of follow-up from consenting women's medical records, telephone interviews, National Death Index and Social Security Death Index. C-SGA was described by four domains using six measures: socio-demographic (financial resources); clinical (comorbidity, obesity); function (physical function limitations); and psychosocial (general mental health, social support). Survival from all-cause and breast-cancer-specific mortality and receipt of guideline-recommended therapy was assessed for different groups of subjects with C-SGA domain deficits (cut-off ≥3 deficits).

RESULTS

The proportion of women with ≥3 C-SGA deficits surviving ten-years was consistently statistically significantly lower (all-cause 26% versus 46% and breast-cancer-specific 76% versus 89%, p≤0.04). The proportion significantly decreased as number of C-SGA deficits increased (linear trend p<0.0001). Receipt of guideline-recommended therapy decreased with age but not consistently by number of C-SGA deficits. The all-cause and breast-cancer-specific death rate at five- and ten-years was consistently approximately two times higher in women with ≥3 C-SGA deficits even when fully adjusted for confounding factors (HR(5-yrAllCauseFullyAdjusted)=1.87 [1.36-2.57], HR(10-yrAllCauseFullyAdjusted)=1.74 [1.35-2.15], HR(5-yrBreastCancerFullyAdjusted)=1.95 [1.18-3.20], HR(10-yrBreastCancerFullyAdjusted)=1.99 [1.21-3.28]).

CONCLUSION

Regardless of age and stage of disease, C-SGA predicts five- and ten-year all-cause and breast-cancer-specific survival in older women. Hence, C-SGA may provide an effective strategy to guide treatment decision-making and to identify risk factors for intervention.

Anemia, fatigue and aging

Aging is associated with increased incidence and prevalence of both cancer and anemia. Cancer and aging may conspire in making anemia more frequent and more severe. This article reviews the causes and the consequences of anemia in the older individual. The most common causes include chronic inflammation that is a typical manifestation of aging, iron deficiency that may be due to chronic hemorrhage, malabsorption and Helicobacter pylori infection, cobalamin deficiency from malabsorption and renal insufficiency. Other causes of anemia whose prevalence is not well established include myelodysplasia, copper deficiency, hypothyroidism, and sarcopenia. Anemia is associated with increased risk of mortality, functional dependence, dementia, falls, and chemotherapy-related toxicity. When correcting the anemia of older cancer patients one should remember that the erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESA) may stimulate cancer growth and cause thrombosis. These products may be safe when given exclusively to patients receiving chemotherapy and when the hemoglobin levels are maintained below 12 g/dL.

Treatment of cancer in the older aged person

Cancer is a disease of aging.1 Currently 50% of all malignancies occur in individuals 65 and over1 and by the year 2030 older individuals will account for 70% of all neoplasms.With the aging of the population the management of cancer in the older person with chemotherapy is beoming increasingly common. This treatment may be safe and effective if some appropriate measures are taken, including, an assessment of the physiologic age of each patient, modification of doses according to the renal function, use of meyelopoietic growth factors prophylactically in presence of moderately toxic chemotherapy, and provision of an adequate caregiver. Cure, prolongation of survival, and symptom palliation are universal goals of medical treatment. Prolongation of active life expectancy should be added to the treatment goal of the older aged person.

Impact of age, sex, and comorbidity on cancer therapy and disease progression

A theme of personalized medicine was highlighted at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. To this end, the current review focuses on the impact of host characteristics (such as age, sex, and comorbidity) as they pertain to cancer biology, treatment efficacy, and tolerance. Increasing age is associated with complex changes in physiology, including alterations in renal and hepatic function, and decreased bone marrow reserve. These may in turn result in alterations in pharmacokinetics and toxicity related to many commonly used anticancer agents. Using tools, such as the geriatric assessment, may help to elucidate the physiologic age of the patient as opposed to the chronologic age. Increasing age is paralleled by an increase in comorbidity, and comorbidity may have independent prognostic implications and substantially impact medical decision making in the patient with cancer. Numerous biologic ties between cancer and comorbidity exist, one example being an association of diabetes with an increased risk of disease recurrence and mortality in the setting of colon cancer. Biologic features can also vary by sex; several biomarkers with either prognostic or predictive value (ie, excisionrepair cross-complementation group 1 expression, epidermal growth factor receptor mutation, or dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase polymorphism) may differentiate efficacy or toxicity in males and females. Taken together, age, sex, and comorbidity each encompass a complex array of physiologic and molecular variations that may each aid in personalizing care for the patient with cancer.

Older breast cancer survivors: geriatric assessment domains are associated with poor tolerance of treatment adverse effects and predict mortality over 7 years of follow-up

PURPOSE

To evaluate geriatric assessment (GA) domains in relation to clinically important outcomes in older breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

Six hundred sixty women diagnosed with primary breast cancer in four US geographic regions (Los Angeles, CA; Minnesota; North Carolina; and Rhode Island) were selected with disease stage I to IIIA, age >or= 65 years at date of diagnosis, and permission from attending physician to contact. Data were collected over 7 years of follow-up from consenting patients' medical records, telephone interviews, physician questionnaires, and the National Death Index. Outcomes included self-reported treatment tolerance and all-cause mortality. Four GA domains were described by six individual measures, as follows: sociodemographic by adequate finances; clinical by Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and body mass index; function by number of physical function limitations; and psychosocial by the five-item Mental Health Index (MHI5) and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS). Associations were evaluated using t tests, chi(2) tests, and regression analyses.

RESULTS

In multivariable regression including age and stage, three measures from two domains (clinical and psychosocial) were associated with poor treatment tolerance; these were CCI >or= 1 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49; 95% CI, 1.18 to 5.25), MHI5 score less than 80 (OR = 2.36; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.86), and MOS-SSS score less than 80 (OR = 3.32; 95% CI, 1.44 to 7.66). Four measures representing all four GA domains predicted mortality; these were inadequate finances (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.24 to 2.88; CCI >or= 1 (HR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.88), functional limitation (HR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.93), and MHI5 score less than 80 (HR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.85). In addition, the proportion of women with these outcomes incrementally increased as the number of GA deficits increased.

CONCLUSION

This study provides longitudinal evidence that GA domains are associated with poor treatment tolerance and predict mortality at 7 years of follow-up, independent of age and stage of disease.

Physiological aging in older adults with cancer: implications for treatment decision making and toxicity management

Because the risk of cancer increases with age, the growth of the aging population will lead to a larger number of older adults with cancer. Standard cancer treatments can be safe and effective in older adults and result in improved survival and enhanced quality of life. Because physiological decline varies among older adults, cancer treatment requires an individualized approach. Consideration of physiological age, rather than chronological age alone, is required to guide treatment decision making and prevent and manage treatment toxicities and other complications. This article examines the impact of physiological aging on treatment decision making and toxicity management in older adults with cancer.