Role of the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab in the treatment of elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Although major progress has been achieved in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with the employment of biological antiangiogenic agents, several questions remain open for discussion regarding the use of this therapy in elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.In Western countries, the total number of elderly patients with colorectal cancer is expected to increase in the future. As adverse physical or socioeconomic conditions are more common in the elderly, an assessment of the patients suitability for this therapy should be performed before a treatment decision is made.Most patients in clinical trials of the antiangiogenic drug bevacizumab were aged