Optimization of Systemic Treatment Strategies in Elderly Patients With Advanced Solid Malignancies

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 70 years
• Diagnosis of advanced cancer of colorectum, breast or prostate
• Standard first line palliative treatment with cytotoxic agents will be started (Folfox, Xelox, capecitabine, paclitaxel or docetaxel)
• Estimated life expectancy ≥ 3 months
• Able to give informed consent
• WHO performance status ≤ 2
• Absence of any psychological, familial, sociological or geographical condition potentially hampering compliance with the treatment and follow-up schedule; those conditions should be assessed with the patient before registration in the trial
• No other severe medical or psychiatric conditions that in the judgment of the investigator renders the patient inappropriate for inclusion in this study.
• Before patient registration, written informed consent must be given and documented to ICH/EUCGCP, national/local regulatory requirements and the local rules followed in our institution

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of cytopenia due to iron-, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency or hemolysis, unless adequately supplemented.
• Creatinine clearance ≤ 30 ml/min
• Serum AST and ALT ≥ 2.5 x ULN, in case of liver metastases serum AST and ALT ≥ 5 x ULN
• In case of therapy with Docetaxel/Paclitaxel serum bilirubin ≥ 1.5 x ULN