Chemotherapy in older adult gynecologic oncology patients: Can a phenotypic frailty score predict tolerance?

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the ability of an office-administered phenotypic frailty assessment to predict chemotherapy tolerance in older adult gynecologic oncology patients, and describe practice patterns for chemotherapy administration in this population.

Methods: Prospective, single-institution cohort study of gynecologic oncology patients 65 or older initiating chemotherapy. Phenotypic frailty testing at an office visit encompassed components of two validated frailty assessments: Fried Score (physical testing and patient response) and FRAIL Scale (patient response only). Patients were followed through three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy or six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Standard statistics examined the relationship of frailty to chemotherapy regimen, ability to complete chemotherapy, and complications.

Results: Eighty patients were included, 65% with ovarian and 34% with endometrial cancer. On average 57% of patients were fit, 32% intermediately frail, and 11% frail. 68% received adjuvant chemotherapy versus 32% neoadjuvant. The majority (81%) received IV chemotherapy on a 21-day cycle and 81% initially received a regimen consistent with standard-of-care chemotherapy (SOCC). Age was not associated with receiving SOCC, or tolerance or completion of chemotherapy. Frailty was associated with non-initiation of SOCC in all patients and inability to complete SOCC in adjuvant patients. Complications and regimen alterations were common but were not associated with frailty.

Conclusions: There is a need to develop tools to help physicians predict chemotherapy tolerance among older adult gynecologic oncology patients in order to prevent both under- and over-treatment while minimizing morbidity. However, in this study phenotypic frailty assessment had limited predictive utility. Among adjuvant chemotherapy patients, frailty was associated with inability to complete SOCC and thus may be helpful in selecting patients appropriate for less aggressive chemotherapy regimens.

Keywords: Chemotherapy tolerance; Elderly; Frailty; Older adult.