Efficacy and Safety of Docetaxel in the Elderly
April 2008
in “
Aging health
”
TLDR Docetaxel is safe and works well for older people with cancer, with manageable side effects.
Docetaxel was found to be safe and effective for elderly patients with various solid tumor malignancies, with Phase II studies indicating no significant differences in efficacy or toxicity due to age. The drug's side effects, including myelosuppression and fatigue, were the most common, but others such as alopecia, skin toxicity, and fluid retention were also noted. These side effects tended to be dose-related and manageable through dose adjustments or therapy delays. Weekly dosing schedules of docetaxel were found to be as effective as every 3-week schedules and may reduce the risk of myelosuppression, a concern in the elderly population. Overall, docetaxel was commonly used in treating elderly cancer patients.
