Dr. Harvey PassFocus: Pleural Mesothelioma

Dr. Pass's Accomplishments

While working at the Karmanos Cancer Center at Wayne State University, Dr. Pass and his colleagues were able to identify a protein called osteopontin that shows up in high levels in patients who have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. This pivotal discovery allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma through the use of a simple blood test. The earlier a patient is diagnosed, the higher their chance for recovery.

Dr. Pass is an accomplished doctor with decades of experience in cardiothoracic surgery. He helped found the Meso Foundation in 1998 and has since been a tireless advocate for patients with lung cancer and mesothelioma. He has served as a Lung Cancer Alliance Board member and Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board at the Meso Foundation. Throughout his career, Dr. Pass has been essential in establishing programs that focus specifically on mesothelioma.

Aside from these accomplishments, Dr. Pass also:

• Discovered potential genetic factors in mesothelioma
• Conducted research essential to the rise of immunotherapy
• Was awarded the National Institutes of Health Director’s Award in 1991

Key Study Led By Dr. Pass

In addition to his accomplishments, Dr. Pass led a breakthrough study in 2005 that is helping the mesothelioma treatment community move towards earlier diagnoses—a constant issue of concern. The study, titled “Asbestos Exposure, Pleural Mesothelioma, and Serum Osteopontin Levels,” was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Pass and his team sought out to determine the levels of osteopontin, a protein believed to be more prevalent in mesothelioma patients, in 3 groups of people: those without mesothelioma with no asbestos exposure; those without mesothelioma who had asbestos exposure; and those with mesothelioma.

The study concluded that by measuring a person’s osteopontin levels, doctors can determine if they have had exposure to asbestos even if they have no visible presence of mesothelioma. This is significant as people who have asbestos exposure can be proactive about their health and this is a significant step towards earlier diagnoses and longer survival times.

Learn how survivors beat the odds by enrolling in clinical trials and seeing specialists like Dr. Pass in our free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.