Symptoms such as pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, numbness, tingling and weight loss (cachexia) can burden patients and their caregivers. The symptoms are sometimes so intense that they impact cancer treatment.

What is symptom science?

Symptom science is a clinical research program focused on minimizing treatment-related toxicity and improving the quality of life of people with cancer. This research includes discovery, validation and promotion of better ways to control symptoms. The hallmarks of this field are rigorous, evidence-based research and collaboration among patients, caregivers, clinicians and scientists. This leads to better outcomes and makes a profound difference to patients’ lives.

Symptom science research at OHSU

OHSU’s Symptom Science Research Group focuses on finding ways to help patients cope with cancer and treatment-related symptoms.

We’re a multidisciplinary group of researchers from oncology, palliative care, basic science, nursing, nutrition and rehabilitation based at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. We seek to:

• Better understand the pathophysiology of symptoms.
• Identify biomarkers that predict toxicity.
• Improve the lives of people with cancer.

We conduct clinical investigations on distressing symptoms and toxicities for a wide range of cancer types. Our trials include both investigator-initiated studies and partnerships with industry.

• If you’re a patient, get help from our palliative care team.
• If you’re a provider, refer a patient for one of our symptom science clinical trials by emailing symptomscience@ohsu.edu or calling 503-494-6594.
• If you’re a researcher or industry representative, we want to work with you. Email us at symptomscience@ohsu.edu.

Publications

Our group has published more than 100 research papers.

Clinical trials

We are conducting several clinical trials on symptom science.

Research team members

• Jordanne Bennett
• Jason Frantz
• Tanja Glujic-White
• Lauren Hayashi
• Sonali Joshi, Ph.D.
• Paula Cisternas Labadzinzki
• Josephine Lopez
• Takumi Suzuki