
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”
This study looked at the possibility of setting up a large phase 3 trial of chemotherapy for frail and elderly patients. It was for people with advanced cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, or the area where the stomach and oesophagus meet (the gastro oesophageal junction). This study was supported by Cancer Research UK.
Doctors often treat advanced cancer with chemotherapy. But some people are older and not well enough to have full strength chemotherapy. Sometimes doctors give these patients less chemotherapy. But the research team felt that we needed more evidence to decide which treatment option is best.
The aim of this study was to find out if it is practical to do a phase 3 trial testing three types of chemotherapy for frail and elderly patients with advanced oesophageal or stomach cancer.
The research team found that it should be safe and possible to do a phase 3 trial of different chemotherapy options for frail and elderly patients.
The study recruited 55 people with cancer of the oesophagus, stomach or gastro oesophageal junction. They were able to analyse the results of 54 people who took part. Of these,
The research team looked at the number of people in each group who had severe side effects, had to delay treatment between doses or had to have a reduced dose of chemotherapy. They found it was
They also looked at whether the cancer grew or the health of those taking part had got worse after 3 months of treatment. In other words, at whether their condition remained stable. They found that their condition remained stable for
When they did this analysis January 2012 they were waiting for follow up information about a couple of people.
The research team concluded that it would be feasible to run a larger phase 3 trial looking at treatment options for elderly and frail patients.
We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () but may not have been published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Prof Matthew Seymour
Cancer Research UK
National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network (NCRN)
Roche
University of Leeds
This is Cancer Research UK trial number CRUK/08/033.
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I was delighted to take part in a clinical trial as it has the potential to really help others in the future.”