Living With ALK Fusion-Positive NSCLC: A French Nationwide Survey of the Psychosocial Impact Among Patients, Caregivers, and Health Care Professionals.

Authors

Jacques Cadranel, Romain Corre, Peggy Roget, Michael Wingler, Sandrine Alliaume, Pascale Bausson, Leslie Capdevielle, Joana Mendes, Alice Mogenet, Bertrand Mennecier

Published in

JTO clinical and research reports. Volume 7. Issue 10. Pages 101038. Epub Jun 30, 2026.

Abstract

The development of ALK inhibitors has transformed the management of ALK fusion-positive (ALK+) NSCLC from a high-mortality disease to a more manageable chronic condition.
This quantitative, nationwide French survey collated information via online questionnaires from patients (n = 85), caregivers (n = 27), and health care professionals (HCPs; n = 50) on the impact of ALK+ NSCLC on daily lives and psychosocial issues.
Overall, 46 patients (54%) had received first-line and 39 patients (46%) second-line or later targeted therapy for a mean of 2.4 years. The most common disease-related challenges reported by patients and HCPs were psychological issues (56.5% and 78.0%), life-planning difficulties (50.6% and 64.0%), and limitations in physical activities of daily life (40.0% and 48.0%), respectively. HCPs consistently underestimated the impact of ALK+ NSCLC on patients' daily lives, especially regarding psychological difficulties, issues with relationships and intimacy, and financial struggles. ALK+ NSCLC had a major impact on caregivers' psychological problems, difficulties in realizing life plans, and professional difficulties. The most important patient-rated support and guidance needs were to establish a separate clinic dedicated to nonmedical problems, improve the systematic provision of wellness activities (e.g., yoga), make it easier to report adverse events to the medical team, provide psychological support, and enable exchanges with other patients (e.g., via discussion groups).
Our study highlights several measures that can be introduced to reduce disease burden and improve quality of life and, besides routine medical follow-up, markedly improve the overall patient journey through ALK+ NSCLC.

PMID:
42823962
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 02 Oct 2026.

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