Upfront dose reduction of chemotherapy in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer may reduce the number of severe side effects of chemotherapy and thus improve quality of life. Dr. Nienke de Glas and her team have received funding from the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) to investigate dose-reduced chemotherapy in a randomized trial that will be enrolled in 40 Dutch hospitals.

In the Netherlands, more than half of the patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer are 70 years or older. Yet, only few studies have focused on the treatment of older patients.
One possible treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer is chemotherapy. Unfortunately, older patients often experience severe side effects from chemotherapy, which negatively affects quality of life and independence. Moreover, these side effects may lead to early treatment discontinuation, which makes chemotherapy less effective.

Upfront dose reduction of chemotherapy in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer may reduce the number of severe side effects of chemotherapy. Dr. Nienke de Glas and her team have received funding from the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) to investigate dose-reduced chemotherapy in a randomized non-inferiority trial. This trial will be enrolled in 40 Dutch hospitals. We expect that dose-reduced chemotherapy will lead to fewer side effects and thus a better quality of life, without shortening survival.