Director of Medical Oncology, humanitas gavazzeni, Italy
Dr. Tommaso Martino De Pas is a leading expert in medical oncology with over 30 years of experience, specializing in rare tumors, thymic malignancies, and sarcomas. He holds advanced degrees in internal medicine and medical oncology and has served in key leadership roles at the European Institute of Oncology and Humanitas Gavazzeni. A professor at Università degli Studi di Milano, he has been instrumental in advancing research, clinical guidelines, and multidisciplinary treatment approaches for rare cancers. He has also served as an editor and reviewer for numerous prestigious journals and actively contributes to oncology networks and steering committees.
Profile
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Education
- 1989: Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Milan University, Italy.
- 1994: Master’s Degree in Internal Medicine.
- 2000: Master’s Degree in Medical Oncology.
- 2016: Professor of Internal Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano (Nursing Science Faculty).
- 2017: Professor Qualification in Medical Oncology (Sector 06/D3: Blood Diseases, Oncology, and Rheumatology), Università degli Studi di Milano (valid until April 2026).
Experience
Dr. Tommaso Martino De Pas has over three decades of extensive experience in internal medicine and medical oncology, specializing in rare tumors, thymic malignancies, and sarcomas. He began his career as a Research Fellow in the Internal Medicine Division and Emergency Department at San Raffaele Hospital, Milan (1989-1994). He then joined the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, where he served in progressively senior roles, including Staff Assistant in the Medical Oncology Department (1994-2000), Deputy Director (2000-2004), and Senior Deputy Director of the New Drugs Development Unit (2004-2008).
From 2009 to 2013, Dr. De Pas led the Medical Oncology Unit for Respiratory Tract and Sarcoma within the New Drugs Development Division. He subsequently served as Director of the Thymic Cancer, Sarcoma, and Rare Tumors Unit (2013-2022) and Referring Oncologist for Rare Diseases (2018-2022). Since July 2022, he has been the Director of the Medical Oncology and Hemato-Oncology Division at Humanitas Gavazzeni.
Dr. De Pas is a member of multiple steering committees and working groups, including the TYME (Thymic Malignancies) research network and the Italian Sarcoma Group, and has served as a clinical trial steering committee member for organizations like GSK, Novartis, and Boehringer Ingelheim. He has also contributed as a tutor for oncology master’s programs and as a professor at Università degli Studi di Milano.
Research Interest
Dr. De Pas focuses on rare tumors, particularly thymic malignancies, sarcomas, and thoracic tumors. His research also encompasses new drug development, innovative treatments, and clinical trials in oncology. As the Italian National Coordinator of the AIOM guidelines for Thymic Cancer and the Lombardia Regional Coordinator for familial melanoma guidelines, he has significantly advanced the field of precision oncology. His work aligns with rare tumor networks like EURACAN and contributes to guidelines and multidisciplinary care for rare and complex malignancies.
Author Metrics
Dr. De Pas is widely published in peer-reviewed journals and serves as Section Editor-in-Chief for the Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology section of Current Oncology. He has contributed to prestigious journals, including Lancet Oncology, PLOS One, Oncotarget, and Cancer Treatment Review. His research metrics include extensive citations across clinical and experimental oncology, emphasizing rare tumors, clinical trial innovations, and targeted therapies.
Publication
1. Clinical Recommendations for Treatment of Localized Angiosarcoma: A Consensus Paper by the Italian Sarcoma Group
- Authors: Palassini, E., Baldi, G.G., Sulfaro, S., … Gronchi, A., Stacchiotti, S.
- Journal: Cancer Treatment Reviews
- Year: 2024
- Volume/Issue/Page: 126, 102722
- Type: Review (Open Access)
- Citations: 3
- Abstract Status: Disabled
- Key Topic: Consensus on treatment approaches for localized angiosarcoma.
2. Fine-Tuning Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: An Expert Consensus on Open Issues for Future Research
- Authors: Conforti, F., Pala, L., De Pas, T., … Gelber, R.D., Viale, G.
- Journal: Clinical Cancer Research
- Year: 2024
- Volume/Issue/Page: 30(6), 1093–1103
- Type: Review
- Citations: 2
- Abstract Status: Disabled
- Key Topic: Future directions in adjuvant endocrine therapy for early-stage breast cancer.
3. Heterogeneity of Treatment Effect on Patients’ Long-Term Outcome According to Pathological Response Type in Neoadjuvant RCTs for Breast Cancer
- Authors: Pala, L., Sala, I., Pagan, E., … Bagnardi, V., Conforti, F.
- Journal: Breast
- Year: 2024
- Volume/Issue/Page: 73, 103672
- Type: Article (Open Access)
- Citations: 1
- Abstract Status: Disabled
- Key Topic: Treatment effect heterogeneity in breast cancer neoadjuvant randomized clinical trials (RCTs).
4. Gender-Based Differences in the Efficacy of Anti-EGFR/BRAF/MEK Targeted Therapy in Patients with BRAF-Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
- Authors: Pala, L., De Pas, T., Cocorocchio, E., … Rossi, G., Conforti, F.
- Journal: Seminars in Oncology
- Year: 2024 (In Press)
- Type: Article
- Citations: 0
- Abstract Status: Disabled
- Key Topic: Gender disparities in targeted therapies for BRAF-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer.
5. Surrogate Endpoints for Overall Survival in Randomized Clinical Trials Testing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Authors: Sala, I., Pagan, E., Pala, L., … Bagnardi, V., Conforti, F.
- Journal: Frontiers in Immunology
- Year: 2024
- Volume/Issue/Page: 15, 1340979
- Type: Review (Open Access)
- Citations: 1
- Abstract Status: Disabled
- Key Topic: Analyzing surrogate endpoints for overall survival in trials with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Conclusion
Dr. Tommaso Martino De Pas demonstrates an exceptional commitment to advancing oncology, particularly in the challenging field of rare tumors. His extensive leadership, innovative research, and dedication to clinical excellence make him a highly deserving candidate for the Excellence in Research award.
While there is room to expand his contributions to more common cancer types and global initiatives, his focused expertise in rare tumors and contributions to clinical guidelines and precision oncology position him as a leading figure in the field. Recognizing Dr. De Pas with this award would not only honor his achievements but also highlight the importance of research in rare cancers, inspiring further advancements in this critical area.