Pasi Jänne receives the American Cancer Society 2024 Medal of Honor Award

The American Cancer Society awarded the 2024 Medal of Honor to Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD, on January 4, 2024. The Medal of Honor is the American Cancer Society’s most prestigious award bestowed to distinguished individuals or foundations who have made valuable contributions in the categories of basic research, cancer control, clinical research, and philanthropy.

"The American Cancer Society has a long-standing history of supporting some of the most proficient cancer researchers in the world, so to be part of that group of people is an honor," said Jänne. "While we have made significant progress in lung cancer research, we owe it to patients, survivors, and their caregivers to further research and advance ACS's mission of saving more lives."

His achievements in translational and clinical research have fundamentally altered the treatment of lung cancer. He was one of the co-discoverers of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and has led the development of therapeutic strategies for patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer.

"In addition to Dr. Jänne’s steadfast commitment to developing more precise and durable therapies for patients with lung cancer, it is his visionary thinking, collaborative mindset, dedication to mentoring, and strong leadership in oncology that earned him this recognition," said Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer, American Cancer Society.

Jänne is the Director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology and professor at Harvard Medical School. He received his medical degree and doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. He completed postgraduate training in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and in medical oncology at Dana-Farber in 2001. He is also the Scientific Director of the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science.

Originally called the American Cancer Society Award, the Medal of Honor was first presented in 1949. Candidates for the Medal of Honor are nominated by the scientific community and the ACS Board of Directors.

Jänne will be celebrated at the 2023 Medal of Honor Ceremony on Saturday, January 6, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

This press release is adapted from a press release issued by the American Cancer Society.