Prospective comparison of the value of CARG, G8, and VES-13 toxicity tools in predicting chemotherapy-related toxicity in older Turkish patients with cancer

Abstract

Background: In older patients with cancer, it is very important to choose the appropriate treatment because they are at high risk for chemotherapy toxicity. Our study investigated characteristics of Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG), Geriatric 8 (G8), and Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) screening tools for predicting chemotherapy-related toxicity (CRT) prospectively.

Materials and methods: 208 patients aged ≥65 years old for whom chemotherapy was planned to treat non-haematological cancer between February 2021-September 2021 were included in the study. The CARG, G8, and VES-13 toxicity tools were completed by the oncologist through face-to-face interviews before starting the first chemotherapy treatment. CRTs during chemotherapy were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03. Logistic regression models, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC), and correlation analyses were used for comparing questionnaires.

Results: Median age was 70.4 (range 65-86) years. Of the participants, 103 (49.5%) participants experienced grade 3-5 CRT (32.2% haematological, 28.4% non-haematological) during chemotherapy. ROC-AUC value of CARG was determined as 0.827 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.77-0.88, p < 0.001), it was determined as 0.744 (95% CI: 0.68-0.81, p < 0.001) for G8 and 0.726 (95% CI: 0.66-0.80, p < 0.001) for VES-13. In the univariate regression analysis, CARG (OR [odds ratio] = 13.57, 95% CI: 6.0-30.72, p < 0.001), G8 (OR = 3.19, 95% CI: 1.62-6.29, p = 0.001), and VES-13 (OR = 9.5, 95% CI: 5.01-17.89, p < 0.001) were found to be predictive for CRT. The multivariate analysis (included stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status, presence of comorbid disease, platinum-based treatment regimen, taxane-based treatment regimen, CARG, VES-13, G8) showed that CARG (OR = 12.08, 95% CI: 5.11-28.56, p < 0.001), VES-13 (OR = 10.06, 95% CI: 4.92-22.98, p < 0.001), and G8 (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.04-4.69, p = 0.040) screening tools were strong predictors for CRT. The CARG and VES-13 questionnaires were predictive for reducing the initial treatment dose (p = 0.004, p = 0.004, respectively), interruption of treatment (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), discontinuing treatment (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, respectively), and unexpected hospitalisation (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, respectively).

Conclusions: We showed that all three CARG, G8, and VES-13 questionnaires are helpful tools in the decision-making process for ideal chemotherapy to predict severe CRT; however, CARG and VES-13 questionnaires appear more useful in daily oncology practice than the G8 questionnaire.

Keywords: CARG; Chemotherapy; G8; Older patients with cancer; Toxicity; VES-13.