Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Older Adults with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for patients with early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with surgery. There is a paucity of data regarding the appropriate use of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of older adults. In the absence of prospective randomized controlled trials specific to this population, the available evidence is limited to post hoc analyses of prospective studies in age-unselected populations and retrospective reviews of population databases. The available evidence for treatment of older adults with adjuvant therapy using cisplatin- and carboplatin-based therapy is reviewed. Strategies for future research, as well as the role of geriatric assessment in risk stratification, will be addressed.