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Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Distinguish Clinical Professor, Cancer Hospital Fudan University Cancer Hospital, Shanghai, China

Bio Statement

Dr. Lorenzo Cohen is a faculty member at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and is a professor in the Department of Behavioral Science, Director of the Integrative Medicine Program, and Chief of the Section of Integrative Medicine in the Department of General Oncology. Dr. Cohen is a founding member and immediate past president of the Society for Integrative Oncology and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

Dr. Cohen is currently conducting a number of NIH-funded and non-funded randomized controlled clinical trials examining the biobehavioral effects of psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing the negative aspects of cancer treatment and improving quality of life including studies of meditation, stress management, emotional writing, yoga, and tai chi/qigong. He is interested in examining different types of complementary programs that can be easily incorporated into conventional treatment to decrease the psychophysiological sequelae associated with treatment. His research simultaneously assesses psychological, behavioral and physiological factors in an attempt to better understand the cancer process. He is principal investigator of a center grant from the National Cancer Institute to conduct collaborative research projects with Fudan University Cancer Hospital in Shanghai, China, that is exploring the use of traditional Chinese Medicine for cancer. He was the recipient of the 2007 International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Award of Shanghai Municipality and the 2008 Magnolia Memorial Award for his contributions in furthering research into the use of traditional Chinese medicine. 

 

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1994 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, PHD, Medical Psychology
1993 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, MS, Medical Psychology
1987 Reed College, Portland, OR, BA, Psychology

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Professor, Department of General Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2008-present
Adjunct Professor, Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, TX, 9/2006-present
Chief, Integrative Medicine Program, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2002-present
Director, Department of General Oncolocy, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2002-present

Honors and Awards

2008 Shanghai Magnolia Memorial Award, Shanghai Municipal People’s Government
2007 Distinguished Clinical Professor, Cancer Hospital Fudan University
2007 International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Award of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai Municipal People's Government
2004-2007 Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research
1994-1997 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, National Cancer Institute of Canada

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Meng Z, Yang P, Shen Y, Bei W, Zhang Y, Ge Y, Newman R, Cohen L, Liu L, Thornton B, Chang D, Liao Z, Kurzrock R. Pilot study of Huachansu in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, or pancreatic cancer. Cancer. In Press.
2. Garcia K, Chiang J, Cohen L, Lac M, Palmer L, Rosenthal D, Wei Q, Samuel T, Wang C, Rahlfs T, Chambers M. Acupuncture for Radiation-induced Xerostomia in Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study. Head & Neck:[Epub ahead of print], 4/2009.
3. Biegler KA, Chaoul A, Cohen L. Cancer, cognitive impairment, and meditation. Acta Oncologica 48(1):18-26, 2009.
4. Parker P, Pettaway C, Babian R, Pisters L, Miles B, Fortier A, Wei Q, Carr D, Cohen L. The effects of a pre-surgical stress management intervention for men with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy. Journal of Clinical Oncology 27(19):3169-3176, 2009.
5. Freeman LW, Cohen L, Stewart, M, White R, Link J, Palmer JL, Welton DL, McBride L, Hild C. The experience of imagery as a post-treatment intervention in patients with breast cancer: program, process, and patient recommendations. Oncology Nursing Forum 35(6):E116-21, 11/2008.
6. Katz J, Buis T, Cohen L. Locked out and still knocking: Predictors of excessive demands for postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia 2:88-99, 55, 2/2008.
7. Garcia MK, Skibber JM, Rodriguez-Bigas MA, Chang DZ, Feig BW, Bisanz AK, Palmer JL, Cohen L, Chiang JS. Acupuncture to prevent prolonged postoperative ileus: a randomized clinical trial. Medical Acupuncture 20:83-88, 2008.
8. de Moor JS, Moye L, Low MD, Rivera E, Singletary SE, Fouladi RT, Cohen L. Expressive writing as a presurgical stress management intervention for breast cancer patients. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology 6(2):59-66, 2008.
9. Cohen L, de Moor CA, Eisenberg P, Ming EE, Hu H. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting-incidence and impact on patient quality of life at community oncology settings. Supportive Care in Cancer 15:497-503, 2007. PMID: 17103197.
10. Cohen L, Cohen MH, Kirkwood C, Russell NC. Discussing complementary therapies in an oncology setting. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology 5:18-24, 2007.
11. de Moor C, Sterner J, Hall M, Warneke C, Gilani Z, Amato R, Cohen L. A pilot study of the effects of expressive writing on psychological and behavioral adjustment in patients enrolled in a Phase II trial of vaccine therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Health Psychology 21:615-9, 2002. PMID: 12433015.
12. Cohen L, Neuringer A, Rhodes D. Effects of ethanol on reinforced variations and repetitions by rats under a multiple schedule. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 54:1-12, 1990. PMID: 2398323.

Invited Articles
1. Chandwani KD, Chaoul-Reich A, Cohen L. The role of yoga in breast cancer. Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly 17:330-331, 2007.
2. Cohen L, Gerner J, Baile WB. Complementary programs for patients with cancer: Implications for quality of life, treatment response, and survival. The Lancet Oncology 1:55-56, 2000.

Book Chapters
1. Cohen L, Russell N, Garcia K, Frenkel M. The Role of Integrative Oncology in Cancer Care. In: Cancer Medicine. Newgen North America: Ossining. In Press.
2. Basch E, Ulbricht C, Cohen L, Frenken M. Complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies. In: Cancer principles and practice of oncology. 1 & 2, 8. Wolters Kulwer, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins: Philadephia, 2949-2963, 2008.
3. Russell N, Cohen L. Integrative and alternative medicine and palliative medicine. In: Palliative Medicine. Ed(s) E Bruera, C Ripamonti, C von Gunten. Arnold Publishing: London, United Kingdom, 896-902, 2006.

Books (edited and written)
1. Frenkel M, Cohen L. Integrative Medicine in Oncology: Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America. 22, 4. Elsevier, Inc. Philadelphia, 2008.
2. L Cohen, M Markman. Integrative Oncology: Incorporating Complementary Medicine into Conventional Cancer Care. Humana Press: Totowa, NJ, 2008.

Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
1. Cohen L. *CD: Important Conversations: Complementary Therapies. What You Must Ask and Why. Copyright 2005*. Video series can be seen at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resource (CIMER) website. *The video series won the International Health & Medical Media Awards (FREDDIE award) in the category of Health & Wellness, 2005.
2. Cohen L. *CD: Important Conversations: Talking With Patients About Complementary Therapies, 2003.
3. Cohen L. *CD: Patients talk about.. Complementary Therapies and Cancer, 2003.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Biobehavioral effects of Qigong during treatment for rectal in cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2011
 
Title: The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Community Clinical Oncology Program Research Base
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Program Leader
Duration: 9/14/2007 - 5/31/2012
 
Title: Methylphenidate for fatigue in advanced cancer patients
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Principal Investigator: Bruera
Duration: 9/29/2006 - 6/30/2010
 
Title: Presurgical Qigong therapy for women with breast cancer
Funding Source: Fant Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 3/17/2006 - 3/17/2009
 
Title: Effects of Tibetan yoga on fatigue and sleep in cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 3/10/2006 - 2/28/2011
 
Title: International center of TCM for cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/30/2005 - 8/31/2009
 
Title: Biobehavioral effects of yoga during cancer treatment
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2005 - 6/30/2010
 
Title: Influence of uncertainty and communication on adjustment
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Mentor
Principal Investigator: Parker
Duration: 7/30/2003 - 6/30/2009
 
Title: Biobehavioral effects of emotional expression in cancer
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 2/11/2002 - 5/31/2009

Last updated: 9/4/2009