[Targeted therapy for solid tumors in the elderly].
The majority of cancer incidences and deaths occur in the elderly. Elderly patients are a heterogeneous population in terms of physical reserve, comorbidity, polypharmacy, and other geriatric conditions. The elderly has been under-represented in clinical trials of cancer therapy, even in the era of targeted therapy. It is widely believed that targeted therapy, which interferes with specific pathways required for tumor development and growth, is more effective and less toxic than cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, some toxicities are concerned in the elderly such as arterial thromboembolism associated with the use of bevacizumab and cardiotoxicity with trastuzumab. This article reviews the available evidence on the efficiency and toxicity of targeted therapy for solid tumors in the elderly.