IASLC Honors Pasi A. Jänne with the 2025 Adi F. Gazdar Merit Award
About the Adi F. Gazdar Merit Award
In 2019, the IASLC Board of Directors elevated the long-standing Merit Award by renaming it in honor of Dr. Adi F. Gazdar, a pioneer in molecular pathology whose work transformed lung cancer research. The Adi F. Gazdar IASLC Merit Award is now one of the society’s highest honors, celebrating lifelong dedication to advancing thoracic oncology. Each year, the IASLC Executive Committee selects one recipient, announced and honored during the World Conference on Lung Cancer.
About Dr. Pasi A. Jänne
Dr. Jänne received his MD and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996 before completing his residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and fellowship in medical oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). In 2002, he earned a Master’s in Clinical Investigation from Harvard University. He went on to lead the Thoracic Medical Oncology Program at DFCI from 2013 to 2024 and now serves as Senior Vice President for Translational Medicine, Scientific Director of the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, and Director of the Chen-Huang Center for EGFR Mutant Lung Cancers.
Pioneering Research in EGFR and Targeted Therapies
A central focus of Dr. Jänne’s career has been understanding the therapeutic relevance of oncogenic alterations in lung cancer. He was one of the co-discoverers of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a landmark discovery that redefined the treatment landscape. His laboratory was among the first to demonstrate how these mutations could predict dramatic tumor regressions in patients treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Beyond EGFR: Broadening the Impact
In addition to EGFR, Dr. Jänne has investigated other oncogenic drivers such as MET and ALK, always integrating molecular research with clinical trial design. His translational approach has not only yielded insights into tumor biology but has also driven the development of new therapeutic strategies that continue to shape precision oncology worldwide.
Recognition and Legacy
2024 Medal of Honor, American Cancer Society
Translational Research Award, European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
Waun Ki Hong Award, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Science of Oncology Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Fellow, AACR Academy
The 2025 Adi F. Gazdar IASLC Merit Award
The 2025 Adi F. Gazdar IASLC Merit Award recognizes Dr. Jänne’s extraordinary contributions to translational research and clinical oncology. Just as Dr. Gazdar’s legacy inspired a generation of molecular pathology, Dr. Jänne’s groundbreaking discoveries continue to shape the future of precision medicine and bring hope to patients worldwide.