Abstract
We performed a bibliographic electronic search of MEDLINE and Cochrane databases on breast cancer in the elderly. In the adjuvant setting aromatase inhibitors are more effective than tamoxifen with an acceptable profile of toxicity. In aged, poorer risk, patients adjuvant chemotherapy is feasible but organ function and comorbidities have to be considered. Adjuvant trastuzumab is also an option for the treatment of Her2 positive aged breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy ± HER2-targeted treatment is today a possible treatment for triple negative and HER2-positive disease, respectively. Older women are more likely than younger women to present with more advanced breast cancer. Hormone therapy is the treatment of choice for older women with hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer until they develop resistance. When appropriate, polychemotherapy may be employed but unfortunately we have a lack of data on this matter. However, because fit women older than 70 years of age have similar results with chemotherapy as their younger counterparts most oncologists tend to propose this option to their patients. Trastuzumab has proven to be effective and well tolerated in elderly patients (older than 60-70 years), but caution is needed due to the risk of heart failure. Recently, an all-oral combination of capecitabine and vinorelbine demonstrated good acitivity and tolerability profile in patients older than 70 years. Nab-paclitaxel has shown a safer and more active profile compared with the q3w taxanes in such population. There is, therefore, an urgent need to study anticancer agents in the elderly within large randomized controlled trials.
Keywords: Elderly, breast cancer, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, metastatic.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Medical Treatment Of Elderly Patients With Breast Cancer
Volume: 13 Issue: 9
Author(s): Sergio Palmeri, Massimiliano Berretta and Laura Palmeri
Affiliation:
Keywords: Elderly, breast cancer, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, metastatic.
Abstract: We performed a bibliographic electronic search of MEDLINE and Cochrane databases on breast cancer in the elderly. In the adjuvant setting aromatase inhibitors are more effective than tamoxifen with an acceptable profile of toxicity. In aged, poorer risk, patients adjuvant chemotherapy is feasible but organ function and comorbidities have to be considered. Adjuvant trastuzumab is also an option for the treatment of Her2 positive aged breast cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy ± HER2-targeted treatment is today a possible treatment for triple negative and HER2-positive disease, respectively. Older women are more likely than younger women to present with more advanced breast cancer. Hormone therapy is the treatment of choice for older women with hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer until they develop resistance. When appropriate, polychemotherapy may be employed but unfortunately we have a lack of data on this matter. However, because fit women older than 70 years of age have similar results with chemotherapy as their younger counterparts most oncologists tend to propose this option to their patients. Trastuzumab has proven to be effective and well tolerated in elderly patients (older than 60-70 years), but caution is needed due to the risk of heart failure. Recently, an all-oral combination of capecitabine and vinorelbine demonstrated good acitivity and tolerability profile in patients older than 70 years. Nab-paclitaxel has shown a safer and more active profile compared with the q3w taxanes in such population. There is, therefore, an urgent need to study anticancer agents in the elderly within large randomized controlled trials.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Palmeri Sergio, Berretta Massimiliano and Palmeri Laura, Medical Treatment Of Elderly Patients With Breast Cancer, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113136660358
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113136660358 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Beta-adrenergic Signaling: Complexities and Therapeutic Relevance to Heart Failure
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Models and Methods in Cardiac Imaging for Metabolism Studies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Transcatheter Aortic Valve Technology: Current State
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Potentiation of Anti-Cancer Treatment by Modulators of Energy Metabolism
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Overcoming Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets An Efficient Synthesis of 4-Aryl-1,4-dihydropyridines Via VB1 Catalyzed Hantzsch Reaction
Letters in Organic Chemistry The Heart and Brain Imaging in Lone Atrial Fibrillation – Are We Surprised?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cellular Cardiomyoplasty and Cardiac Regeneration
Current Cardiology Reviews Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Mechanical Intervention for Acute Myocardial Infarction
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents Vascular Pathology from Smoking: Look at the Microcirculation!
Current Vascular Pharmacology Pharmacological Activities and Therapeutic Potential of Kaempferitrin in Medicine for the Treatment of Human Disorders: A Review of Medicinal Importance and Health Benefits
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets mPEG-PLA Micelle for Delivery of Effective Parts of Andrographis Paniculata
Current Drug Delivery Impact of CYP2D6 Genetic Variation on the Response of the Cardiovascular Patient to Carvedilol and Metoprolol
Current Drug Metabolism Morphology of Atherosclerotic Plaque: Its Feature by Imaging Study
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neurochemistry Changes Associated with Mutations in Familial Parkinsons Disease
Current Medicinal Chemistry Triiodothyronine (T3) Effects on Cardiovascular System in Patients with Heart Failure
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Essential Hypertension
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Dyslipidaemia Related to Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Disease in South Asian and West African Populations
Current Pharmaceutical Design Kinetic Analysis of Oxime Interactions with Acetylcholinesterase as a Basis for the Evaluation of Oxime Efficacy in Organophosphate Poisoning
Current Bioactive Compounds The Crosstalk between Gut Inflammation and Gastrointestinal Disorders During Acute Pancreatitis
Current Pharmaceutical Design