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Dr. Pasi A Janne

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While mesothelioma—a rare form of cancer affecting the outer lining of the internal organs—is not as common as many other types of cancer, it has still led many physicians to focus their careers on it. One of these is Dr. Pasi A. Janne, an oncologist whose professional interests lie in lung cancer in general and mesothelioma in particular. Dr. Janne is board certified in both internal medicine and medical oncology.

Dr. Janne earned his medical degree, and a Ph.D., in 1996 from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, followed by a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and is associated with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology.

Much of Dr. Janne's research has focused on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors in non-small cell lung cancers and the impact of mutations on the effectiveness of EGF receptor-targeted therapeutic agents. After several studies on the topic, he reached the conclusion that only Iressa or gefitinib killed cancerous cells that had the EGF receptor. He has also done extensive work on Tarceva (tyrosine kinase inhibitor Erlotinib) and its benefit for older patients with lung cancer.

Dr. Janne has also studied novel approaches to the treatment of mesothelioma, such as photodynamic therapy. This promises to be beneficial during the early stages, following a pleurectomy or decortication. Immunotherapy, such as the use of interferon gamma or Actimmune, is another area of interest to Dr. Janne. He is also studying the use of gene therapy, which utilizes a virus to transmit genetic material to alter either cancerous or immune cells. He also is interested in intracavity heated chemotherapy, using higher drug levels for lower toxicity, which would administer both hyperthermia and cisplatin systemically.

Finding new ways to test for alterations in cancerous and precancerous conditions in the lungs is another area of interest for Dr. Janne. Success in this area could lead to specific treatments being tailored for individual patients based on the genetic composition of their cancer. It could also prove beneficial in identifying precancerous conditions and allowing patients to receive treatment prior to the development of the actual cancer. He has also performed research on malignant mesothelioma, seeking to find molecular therapeutic targets.

Dr. Janne has authored and co-authored numerous articles over the course of his career. He has had papers published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Oncology, and Cancer Research, among others.