Two groups of patients were compared. One received chemotherapy followed by hormone therapy, the other a hormone therapy alone. After a 7.8 -year median follow -up, the 4 -year -old overall survival rate was 90.5 % in the 1st group against 89.3 % in the second. At 8 years old, respectively 72.7 % and 68.3 %. “The difference from 4.5 points to eight years is not statistically significant,” said the Curie Institute in a press release.
On the toxicity side, the negative effects of chemotherapy are significant. “Adverse effects of grade 3 or more occurred in 34 % of patients treated with chemotherapy, compared to only 9 % in the hormone therapy group alone,” explains the Curie Institute. Patients who have received chemotherapy reported a more marked deterioration in their quality of life, especially in connection with fatigue, pain, digestive disorders and a drop in autonomy. ”
For a more targeted oncology
“For the first time, a phase III study shows that the addition of chemotherapy does not provide a statistically significant benefit of overall survival, even in patients at high genomic risk (whose tumor is at high risk of recurrence, progression or poor response to treatment, editor’s note),” said Professor Etienne Brain, medical oncologist at the Curie Institute. These results confirm that therapeutic decisions must take into account not only tumor biology, but also age, fragility and expectations of patients. They encourage to revise the way in which standards established in younger subjects are then applied to older subjects without high level of evidence or with little safeguards. (The study) Aster 70s opens the way to a more targeted, fairer and more turned to the patient. »»
This study confirms the need for an individualized therapeutic approach, adapted to the characteristics of the tumor, but also to the age, the fragility and the choice of patients. The Curie Institute insists on the need to improve the treatment standards taking into account the benefit/risk ratio for the elderly in particular. Based on the results of this study, the anti-cancer center calls for a “reasoned therapeutic de-escalation” in elderly patients and to reserve chemotherapy for very precise cases. “What are trying to identify two essential research programs, conducted on the important collection of tumor and blood samples of the study”.
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Source: Health destination