Approximately half of cancer cases and a majority of cancer-related deaths afflict individuals aged 65 and older, as reported by previous research [15]. Conventional oncology tools lack the precision necessary to differentiate older patients who are more susceptible to treatment-related complications. The G8 assessment tool represents a pioneering effort tailored explicitly for older cancer patients. In this study, we present prospective findings from a cohort of Spanish-speaking patients aged over 65 with cancer. We reveal that an abnormal G8 score at baseline is associated with an elevated risk of functional decline (FD) two months into treatment and increased mortality after one year.
The aging process is closely associated with an increased burden of comorbidities and a decline in functional capacities, particularly in comparison to younger populations. Consequently, a comprehensive evaluation with a personalized approach to each patient is imperative [16, 17]. The prevalence of older adults varies significantly among regions, with a notable concentration in less developed areas. In Latin America, the availability of healthcare resources varies widely among different regions. Similarly, models of care in geriatric oncology for older patients exhibit heterogeneity and require adaptation to the unique circumstances of each institution [18]. We emphasize the significance of conducting prospective studies using easily applicable tools, irrespective of the clinical practice setting, that possess high diagnostic sensitivity for frailty detection and prognostic value for critical clinical variables such as mortality.
Existing guidelines for the care of older cancer patients consistently recommend the routine use of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) to identify patients at elevated risk of chemotherapy-related toxicity. Impairments across various domains of CGA are correlated with an increased risk of treatment-related complications, functional decline, reduced quality of life, and poorer survival [19]. However, due to the time-consuming nature of CGA, its feasibility, and its necessity for all patients, it is not consistently adopted among oncologists. A survey conducted by ASCO's Geriatric Oncology Task Force revealed that while 52% of providers were aware of ASCO Guidelines recommendations, most CGA tools were employed less than 50% of the time. Commonly cited barriers included time constraints, lack of support staff, and insufficient training or knowledge concerning geriatric assessment [20].
For this reason, there is growing interest in utilizing concise screening tools to identify individuals with a geriatric profile, with the intent of focusing on frail patients. A two-step screening strategy is generally recommended, starting with a screening tool like the G8 and subsequently conducting a CGA only if the screening score is abnormal [21]. A comprehensive systematic review on the diagnostic accuracy and the association of the G8 with various clinical outcomes revealed that, compared to other frailty screening tools, the G8 exhibited exceptional sensitivity and was one of the most frequently investigated tools [11].
To our knowledge, there are approximately a dozen geriatricians and oncologists in Argentina with any degree of training or interest in geriatric oncology. Despite the evident need for specialized units catering to the care and treatment of elderly cancer patients, there is a notable absence of geriatric oncology units in the country.
Kenis et al. conducted one of the largest studies evaluating the impact of systematic geriatric screening and assessment on older cancer patients in general oncology practice. Their findings indicate that geriatric screening using the G8 enables the identification of approximately 29% of "fit" patients who do not require a CGA prior to treatment decision-making. However, 71% of older cancer patients still necessitate further assessment via CGA, revealing deeper insights into underlying issues in a significant proportion of patients [22]. In our patient cohort, 66.2% exhibited a geriatric high-risk profile based on the G8 assessment. While populations in different studies may not be homogenous, these results align with the prevalence observed in other studies, which often approximates 75% or even exceeds 80% [12, 23]. It is noteworthy that both studies encompassed patients aged 70 and older, mirroring our study's patient population, the first included patients at the initial diagnosis or disease progression/relapse, in line with our study's scope, but the second only patients on first-line treatment.
Functional status plays a pivotal role in the overall quality of life for older patients, with many preferring to forgo treatment rather than endure treatment-related functional or cognitive impairments, even when facing a severe illness like cancer 23. FD during cancer treatment is a prevalent issue, especially among older patients [24, 25]. Multiple studies have demonstrated its adverse prognostic value in older cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, with associations observed between FD and inferior clinical outcomes, diminished survival, and decreased quality of life [17]. To facilitate responsible treatment decisions for older cancer patients, the early detection and prevention of FD are paramount. However, a consensus regarding the criteria for defining functional impairment, the choice of measurement instrument (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, IADL, vs. Activities of Daily Living, ADL), and the monitoring timeframe remains elusive. In our study, we opted to document FD after two months of treatment, employing a threshold of a one-point change in IADL score for early FD detection. Our results correlate with other studies that demonstrated an independent association between an abnormal G8 score and FD during cancer treatment [13, 26, 27].
While variations in follow-up duration and measurement instruments exist, one study showed that FD occurred in approximately one-third of older cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and had a strong predictive value for survival [28]. In our study, FD, measured by IADL, was identified in approximately 30% of the overall patient population and 39% of those with altered G8 scores at baseline. Additionally, Kenis et al. identified two screening tools, one of which was the G8, with a robust prognostic value for FD (defined as an increase of ≥ 2 points on the ADL scale and as a decrease of ≥ 1 point on the IADL scale) and overall survival [13].
In the original ONCODAGE cohort, an abnormal G8 score was independently associated with one-year survival [10]. A study by Chakiba et al. highlighted the G8 as the sole significant factor linked to FD and early mortality [12]. Our study contributes to solidifying the predictive value of the G8 at the outset of treatment, emphasizing the routine use of the G8 in managing older cancer patients.
To our knowledge, our study represents the first prospective examination in Latin America establishing the prognostic value of the G8 in older cancer patients initiating treatment. While a pilot study in Uruguay involving 32 patients previously explored the use of CGA in guiding treatment decisions and preventing treatment-related toxicities among older cancer patients, it did not directly assess the relationship between G8 scores and functional impairment or mortality 29. Authors from Mexico, Brazil, and other regions have touched upon this topic, yet they did not directly evaluate the association between G8 and functional impairment or mortality [30–33].
Until recently, only three Latin-American countries with representatives from the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) were identified: Mexico, Brazil, and Chile. Collaborative efforts have enabled us to better understand our population's characteristics and generate evidence within the region. This initiative has laid the groundwork for the establishment of a specialized treatment area for older cancer patients within healthcare facilities that lack geriatricians. In this model, oncologists initially conduct frailty screening, followed by recommendations for the most suitable treatment, taking into consideration the potential for better outcomes with reduced risks of toxicities.
Decisions pertaining to cancer therapy should always weigh the impact of cancer and its treatment on the patient's quality of life and remaining survival, while also accounting for the factors that place certain older adults at greater risk for complications. As highlighted by Fried et al. regarding treatment preferences among older adults, a significant majority would opt to forego a life-saving therapy if it entailed a substantial risk of functional and cognitive impairment [34]. Advancing our understanding of cancer treatment in older patients equips us to offer optimal care, a challenge that persists to this day. Although our study was non-interventional, the next step involves evaluating whether we can mitigate or treat FD through early interventions when needed. This approach aims not only to identify patients requiring customized treatment but also to address those experiencing FD during treatment, a population at elevated risk for mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that geriatric interventions may potentially reverse this phenomenon and enhance treatment tolerability and feasibility, particularly in older patients receiving systemic cancer therapy. However, substantiating these findings in older cancer patients remains a challenge [35].
It is important to acknowledge certain limitations in our study. While our patient population encompasses individuals from two Spanish-speaking countries, we recognize that these populations may not be entirely comparable. Nevertheless, we underscore the importance of disseminating research conducted in this region. Furthermore, population heterogeneity may arise based on disease setting, tumor type, and treatment regimen. Most of the studies cited in our discussion focused on patients receiving chemotherapy, while our study also included patients treated with modern modalities like tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and immunotherapy. These treatments are known to have distinct and sometimes less toxic adverse event profiles, albeit in a small subset of patients. It would be worthwhile to evaluate this subgroup and assess the prognostic value of screening tools within this context.