First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Elderly

Purpose of Review Treatment of elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents still a challenge for higher risk of comorbidity, deteriorations in physical, organ, and cognitive functions, a potentially different pharmacokinetics, diminished social support, and immunosenescense. Here, we aim to report and analyse the most relevant and recent literature defining the role of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy in the first-line treatment of elderly patients with metastatic NSCLC. Recent Findings In the past years, treatment of NSCLC was based on cytotoxic chemotherapy, but recently, new drugs are deeply changing therapeutic standards, such as targeted therapy for oncogene addicted NSCLC, and immunotherapy. Despite lung cancer is primarily a disease of the elderly, they are under-represented in clinical trials. Targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors are largely considered to be appropriated for elderly too, because of their manageability, and fewer side effects compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, we need further investigations to define and to choose the better treatment option for each elderly patient.

Automated summary

Treatment of elderly patients with NSCLC is challenging due to higher risk of comorbidities and deteriorations in physical, organ, and cognitive functions. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are becoming important options for first-line treatment in elderly patients due to their manageability and fewer side effects compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Further investigations are needed to determine the best treatment option for each elderly patient.