Lung cancer and treatment in elderly patients: The Achilles Study

In our study, the oldest age group represented a small percentage of all patients included in clinical and pharmacogenetic trials. Although this might indicate bias when interpreting the results, age is not a contraindication to the treatment of the “fit” elderly. Patients with good performance status can be treated with standard doublets. We believe that special attention should be paid to cases with high risk of neutropenia. Research in this population should now be aimed at finding more selective treatments, based on the genetic differences that older patients have.