IASLC Honors Pasi A. Jänne with the 2025 Adi F. Gazdar Merit Award

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) has named Pasi A. Jänne, MD, PhD as the recipient of the 2025 Adi F. Gazdar IASLC Merit Award. This honor recognizes his transformative contributions to lung cancer research and treatment, particularly his groundbreaking work on the molecular underpinnings of the disease

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.

Dr. Adi F. Gazdar

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.

His work has since expanded to exploring resistance mechanisms, identifying novel EGFR mutations, and developing next-generation inhibitors. His leadership in the early-phase trial of osimertinib helped establish it as a global standard of care for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC, exemplifying his ability to translate laboratory findings into life-changing therapies.

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

Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Pasi A. Jänne has received numerous prestigious awards, underscoring his profound impact on lung cancer research and treatment:

• 2024 Medal of Honor, American Cancer Society
  Awarded for significant contributions in basic research, clinical research, cancer control, and philanthropy.
• Translational Research Award, European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
  Recognized for outstanding achievements in translational cancer research.
• Waun Ki Hong Award, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
  Honored for exceptional accomplishments in translational and clinical cancer research.
• Science of Oncology Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
  Acknowledged for significant contributions to the field of oncology.
• Fellow, AACR Academy
  Elected for steadfast contributions to elucidating the significance of EGFR in lung cancer etiology and treatment.

These accolades reflect Dr. Jänne’s unwavering commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of lung cancer, solidifying his legacy as a leader in the field.

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.

Watch Dr. Pasi A. Jänne’s interview with Gevorg Tamamyan as part of our Oncoinfluencers series. 

Or listen to the Podcast Episode: Pasi Jänne on Leading innovations in Lung Cancer Care

Read more articles featuring Pasi A. Jänne on Oncodaily’s website.

Written by Sergey Badalyan, MD