Effect of Geriatric Intervention in Frail Elderly Patients Receiving Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer

University of Copenhagen140 enrolled

Overview

GERICO is a randomized, controlled prospective trial. The aim is to investigate if frail, elderly patients with stage II-IV colorectal cancer, will profit from full comprehensive geriatric assessment and intervention before and during treatment with chemotherapy. The hypotheses are: Optimizing the health conditions and functional status of frail elderly patients who suffers from stage II-IV colorectal cancer, with geriatric intervention will lead to a higher grade of completing the planned chemotherapy and at higher dose intensity. This will also result in a higher overall survival and improve quality of life.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

140

Conditions

Colorectal Neoplasms

Interventions

The intervention group also receives standard treatment with 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy or first -line chemotherapy until operation, other scheduled change of treatment or progression. The participants will simultaneously receive full geriatric assessement and intervention. The clinical examination includes laboratory parameters, review of medication list, psycho-cognitive assessement, screening for malnutrition and need of physiotherapy, optimizing social support. Validated quality of life questionnaires will be filled in prior to start, after 2 months and at the end of treatment.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Frail according to the screening tool G8 ( ≤14 / 17points) * Performance status 0-2 and life expectancy ≥ 3 months * Patients who have undergone surgery for stage III / high-risk stage II colorectal cancer or patients with unresectable or metastatic disease * Are assessed to receive adjuvant chemotherapy or first -line chemotherapy * Meets the criteria to receive preventive chemotherapy with 5-FU or capecitabine +/- oxaliplatin or first -line chemotherapy with 5-FU / irinotecan and / or oxaliplatin , capecitabine +/- possibly with the addition of immunotherapy in the form of cetuximab , panitumumab or bevacizumab. * Informed written and oral consent Exclusion Criteria: * Other malignancy except basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ cervicis uteri in 5 years * Patients in simultaneously drug trials * The patient must not have previously received adjuvant chemotherapy in the GERICO Protocol

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number of patients completing planned treatment without dose reductions

Time frame: 12 month after randomization