[Immunotherapy adaptation in lung cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / COVID-19 et cancer bronchique : adaptation des schémas d'immunothérapie et qualité de vie.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemics required changes in medical practices. In thoracic oncology, pembrolizumab was doubled to 400mg every 6weeks, nivolumab to 480mg every 4weeks. The objective of our study was to assess the impact on quality of life, and on psychological state, as well as the tolerance, of this new schedule. METHODS: Thoracic oncologic patients who underwent these therapeutic changes in our center during the first COVID-19 epidemic wave were included. Their quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life Questionnaire-30, their psychological state by the Hospital Anxiety Depression (HAD) scale. We also reported the preferred administration schedule, as well as adverse events. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included. The overall quality of life was preserved. Rates on HAD scale were low. Tolerance was acceptable. In majority, patients preferred the new procedure. They had a significantly better quality of life compared to those who preferred the old one. CONCLUSIONS: This new immunotherapy schedule in thoracic oncology is well tolerated and allows a preservation of quality of life. This therapeutic option may be favored in the context of COVID-19 pandemics.

[Social representations of cancer and chemotherapy: some stakes to define the therapeutic situation]. / Représentations sociales du cancer et de la chimiothérapie: enjeux pour la définition de la situation thérapeutique.

This research studies social representations of cancer and chemotherapy with patients (N = 62) and of oncologists (N = 26) in a medical oncology unit. The collection of the data was made from free association tasks (concerning cancer and chemotherapy) and attitude questions concerning chemotherapy. Patients also had to produce representations "for" oncologists and conversely. Results indicate a variety of representations marked by the status of sample (patients versus oncologists). The stressful component of the disease is very present. Contrary to the patients, oncologists seize relatively well the representation, which the patients have of concerning cancer and chemotherapy. Patients' representations are connected with phenomena of belief that give evidence for some process of anticipation and expectation linked to the experience of illness and testify the emotional charge related to it. The study of the representations is particularly relevant to highlight the psychosocial stakes associated with the therapeutic situation.