Quality of life in lung cancer survivors treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI): results from the multi-centre cross-sectional German study LARIS

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Maria Blettner - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Katherine Taylor - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Beatrice Wehler - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Bernhard Gohrbandt - , Marienhaus Hospital Mainz (Author)
  • Ursula Nestle - , University of Freiburg (Author)
  • Robert Bals - , Saarland University (Author)
  • Marcus Stockinger - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Thomas Wehler - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Susanne Singer - , Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (Author)
  • Martin Eichler - , University Cancer Centre Dresden, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed at exploring the quality of life (QOL) of lung cancer survivors with proven tyrosine-kinase receptor (RTK) genetic alterations and targeted tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) therapy, compared to lung cancer survivors with no-RTK alterations and no-TKI therapy. Methods: Data were collected in a cross-sectional multi-centre study. Primary lung cancer survivors were asked about their socio-demographic and clinical information, QOL, symptom burden, and distress. QOL and symptom burden were assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), and distress with the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4). Demographic and clinical characteristics were reported in absolute and relative frequencies, QOL, and symptom burden using mean scores. Differences in mean scores with relative 95% confidence intervals were used for comparison. Results: Three groups of survivors were defined: group A with proven RTK alterations, TKI therapy at any time during therapy, and stage IV lung cancer at diagnosis (n = 49); group B: non-TKI therapy and stage IV lung cancer (n = 121); group C: non-TKI therapy and stage I–III lung cancer (n = 495). Survivors in group A reported lower QOL (mean score difference = -11.7 vs. group B) and symptom burden for dyspnoea (difference = -11.5 vs. group C), and higher symptom burden for appetite loss (difference = + 11.4 vs. group C), diarrhoea and rash (differences = + 25.6, + 19.6 and + 13.2, + 13.0, respectively, vs. both groups). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the specific side effects of TKI therapy can impair QOL among lung cancer survivors. Therefore, specific focus towards the optimal management of these side effects should be considered.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1943-1953
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of cancer research and clinical oncology
Volume148
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 35608689
ORCID /0000-0001-9654-2207/work/142254141

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Lung cancer, Quality of life, RTK genetic alterations, Symptom burden, Tyrosine-kinase inhibitors

Library keywords