Outcomes of patients ≥ 65 yrs with advanced cancer treated on phase I clinical trials.
9544 Background: Older patients with cancer are underrepresented in clinical trials; their disease biology and comorbidities may impact the decision to consider a clinical trial. Here we systematically analyze outcomes of elderly pts treated on phase I clinical trials. Methods: The characteristics, toxicity, survival, and response of pts with advanced cancer treated on phase I clinical trials from 1/04 – 12/09 were studied. Results: Overall,347 of 1,182 pts (29%) were >65 yrs old. The Table lists pt characteristics by treatment regimen. 251 pts received a targeted agent, of which 241 (96%) received an investigational, non-FDA approved drug. Of 347 pts, 3 (1%) had a CR, 15 (4%) a PR, 127 (37%) SD, of which 43 (12%) had SD ≥ 6mos. Of 347 pts, 194 (56%) had >1 drug-related toxicity, of which 89 (26%) had a Grade 3-4 toxicity, most often hematologic; 72% of toxicities on targeted therapies were Grade 1-2. Six pts had a DLT; there was one death (<0.01%) “possibly” attributed to the study drug. Median OS from 1st phase I Clinic visit was 8.8mos (95% CI, 7.8-10.6). Median TTF on 1st phase I trial was 1.9mos (95% CI, 1.8-2.1). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that ECOG PS 2-3 (vs. 01) (p <0.001) and liver mets (vs. no liver mets) (p <0.01) were independent factors predicting shorter TTF and OS. Conclusions: Our results suggest that phase I clinical trials are well tolerated and offer a reasonable therapeutic option for pts > 65 yrs. [Table: see text]