Professor Heikki Joensuu is a distinguished Finnish oncologist and cancer researcher with over three decades of leadership in clinical oncology and translational research. He currently serves as Department Head at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, a position he has held since 2020, continuing his long-standing affiliation with the University of Helsinki where he was appointed Professor of Oncology in 1994. After completing his medical degree at the University of Turku in 1981, he specialized in Oncology and Radiotherapy during 1981-1987, defending his PhD thesis in 1987. Throughout his career, Professor Joensuu has held numerous leadership positions including Physician-in-Chief of the Department of Oncology at Helsinki University Hospital from 1994 to 2013 and Medical Director from 2000 to 2009, establishing himself as a pivotal figure in Finnish cancer care.
Professor Joensuu's groundbreaking clinical and translational research has significantly advanced cancer treatment paradigms, particularly in breast cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In 2000, he treated the first GIST patient with imatinib, a pioneering intervention that catalyzed international multicentre trials and ultimately led to the approval of imatinib for advanced GIST treatment in 2003, revolutionizing outcomes for patients with this rare cancer. As one of the founders of the Finnish Breast Cancer Group in the 1990s, he has served as Principal Investigator for numerous clinical trials, including international multicenter studies that have shaped contemporary breast cancer management protocols. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards including the Matti Äyräpää Prize in 2012, Finland's most distinguished medical honor, reflecting the profound impact of his research on clinical oncology practice.
Beyond his direct research contributions, Professor Joensuu has played a critical role in shaping cancer research infrastructure and collaboration in Finland as Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Oncology at Biomedicum Helsinki, which operates as part of a Center of Excellence of the Academy of Finland. His leadership extended to the pharmaceutical industry when he served as Vice President of Therapy Area Oncology R&D at Orion Corporation from December 2017 to August 2020, where he facilitated the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications. Currently, he continues to lead significant research initiatives including projects funded by the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation through 2026, focusing on advancing molecular oncology and precision cancer medicine. As an active researcher, mentor, and scientific advisor, Professor Joensuu remains committed to accelerating the development of novel cancer therapies that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
