Ovarian cancer in the older patient: where are we now? What to do next?

In recent years, major advances have been made toward the individualization of epithelial ovarian cancer care, leading to an overall improvement of patient outcomes. However, real-life data indicate that the oldest populations do not benefit from this, due to aspects related to cancer (more aggressive histopathological features), treatment (i.e. frequently suboptimal), and the host (increased toxicities in patients with lower physiological reserve). A specific risk-benefit perspective should therefore be taken when considering surgery, chemotherapy, and maintenance treatments: the decision for cytoreductive surgery should include geriatric vulnerability and surgical complexity, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy being an option when primary surgery appears at high risk; carboplatin paclitaxel association remains the standard even in vulnerable older patients; and bevacizumab and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors maintenance are interesting options provided they are prescribed according to their indications with a close monitoring of their toxicities. Future studies should aim to individualize care without limiting access of older patients to innovation. A specific focus is needed on age-specific translational analyses (focusing on tumor mutational burden and impaired biological pathways), a better patient stratification according to geriatric parameters, an adaptation of both oncological treatment and geriatric interventions, and treatment adaptations not a priori but according to formal pharmacokinetic data.
Competing Interests: FR reported participation in a specialist advisory board for Bristol-Myers Squibb. LB reported personal fees from AstraZeneca, Clovis Oncology and GlaxoSmithKline. CF reported personal fees from Leo Pharma, Pfizer, MSD Oncology, Teva, AstraZeneca, Baxter, Eisai, Janssen Oncology, Novartis, Chugai Pharma and Astellas Pharma outside the submitted work; grants from Chugai Pharma, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre and Astellas Pharma outside the submit-ted work and non-financial support from Janssen Oncology, Pierre Fabre, AstraZeneca and Leo Pharma outside the submitted work. FR, CB, NB and VL declared no conflict of interest.
(© The Author(s), 2023.)