Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer incidence is increasing among elderly patients. Age is a risk factor for toxicity after chemotherapy for breast cancer. In particular, anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity is increased in elderly patients. Novel liposomal anthracyclines are associated with less cardiotoxicity. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is active in breast cancer patients and, has shown comparable efficacy to conventional doxorubicin in clinical trials. Most toxicities during PLD treatment are hematological and mucocutaneous (in particular stomatitis and palmo-plantar erythrodysesthesia), and cardiac toxicity is rare. Tolerability of this agent in elderly patients has been confirmed by clinical trials in the advanced disease. Due to its efficacy and safety profile, PLD is an appealing treatment option for elderly breast cancer patients.