[Checkpoint inhibitors, the perspectives for elderly patients]

Abstract

The arrival of new immunotherapies, called checkpoint inhibitors, is radically changing the world of oncology. Currently, there are some twenty different cancers which may respond to this type of therapy. It is therefore important that professionals involved in the care of elderly people with cancer are already made aware of these new treatments. This article explains how these checkpoint inhibitors work and describes their efficacy and their toxicity for elderly patients.

Keywords: cancer; caregiver; checkpoint inhibitor; geriatric oncology; immunotherapy; immunothérapie; inhibiteurs de “check point”; oncogériatrie; soignant.