ArticlePsycho-oncology2026
Cycling Through Uncertainty: The Psychological Experiences of Individuals With Lung Cancer Receiving Immunotherapy And/Or Targeted Therapy.
Article in Psycho-oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Levels of Supportive Care Needs in Adults With Cancer.Psycho-oncology · 2026Pooled it
- Psychological experiences of patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection during the preoperative waiting period: a qualitative study.BMC cardiovascular disorders · 2026Article
- Cycling Through Uncertainty: The Psychological Experiences of Individuals With Lung Cancer Receiving Immunotherapy And/Or Targeted Therapy.Psycho-oncology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe recent developments in immunotherapy and targeted therapy drugs offer a new hope for prolonging overall survival and improving quality of life in individuals with advanced lung cancer. However, treatment response to these drugs is variable and unpredictable and early research indicates that these individuals are living with distressing uncertainty and unique supportive care needs.
aimsQualitatively characterize the psychological experience of receiving ICI and TT.
methodsThe study design and interview guide were developed with the charitable organization Lung Cancer Canada (LCC) and a patient advisory board. A diverse group of patients with advanced lung cancer receiving immunotherapy or targeted therapy were recruited from across Canada. Qualitative interviews (n = 24) explored their unmet needs using the Supportive Care Framework in Cancer Care. A thematic analysis was conducted.
resultsAll participants described a similar treatment "cycle" associated with similar experiences and psychological concerns at each phase. Participants described shock and distressing uncertainty in illness at the beginning of treatment and during periods of disease and treatment change. Medically stable periods of treatment response were associated with difficulties with adjustment, coping, and finding new meaning in life. Participants described fear of progression and death anxiety in response to uncertainty in disease and treatment. Various psychological (e.g., acceptance, avoidance, meaning-making) and practical (e.g., social support, information seeking) coping strategies were described.
conclusionsAdvocates, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers should be aware of the unique psychological needs of this growing population. Psychological interventions must address illness uncertainty and corresponding fears and worries.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.