Are TKIs favourable for the elderly with non-small-cell lung cancer?

// Sabrina Rossi 1 , Ettore D’Argento 1 , Giovanni Schinzari 1 , Vincenzo Dadduzio 1 , Vincenzo Di Noia 1 , Alessandra Cassano 1 and Carlo Barone 1 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy Correspondence to: Ettore D’Argento, email: // Keywords : gefitinib; afatinib; elderly; concomitant medications; efficacy; Gerotarget Received : March 17, 2016 Accepted : April 22, 2016 Published : May 17, 2016 Abstract Background: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have changed treatment strategies for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring mutations in EGFR gene. This retrospective analysis assessed efficacy and safety of TKIs in elderly compared to younger patients. Patients and methods: 49 patients with advanced NSCLC and mutations in exon 19 or 21 receiving a first-line therapy with TKIs were included and divided into patients aged