Dr. Evan Alley

About Dr. Evan Alley

Dr. Evan Alley is a board-certified medical oncologist with nearly 30 years of experience treating mesothelioma and other cancers. Depending on the patient’s diagnosis, Dr. Alley may recommend chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, or a combination of treatments.

Notably, Dr. Alley has been studying the use of immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma for over a decade and has served as an investigator in the KEYNOTE-028 trial, which studied Keytruda® (pembrolizumab). After long-term success in trials, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Keytruda for the treatment of mesothelioma in 2024, in combination with platinum-based and pemetrexed chemotherapy.

Dr. Alley’s Cleveland Clinic work overlaps with other mesothelioma specialists who help him develop personalized treatment plans. He believes every patient deserves care that reflects their diagnosis, treatment goals, and overall health.

Connect with Dr. Alley and other mesothelioma specialists by using our Free Doctor Match today.

What Health Conditions Does Dr. Evan Alley Treat?

Dr. Alley treats pleural mesothelioma and many other cancers affecting the chest.

His primary areas of care include:

• Pleural mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Other thoracic cancers

Many of these cancers require more than one type of treatment. To that end, Dr. Alley works closely with other specialists to design personalized care plans for every patient.

Dr. Evan W. Alley’s Mesothelioma Treatment Approach

Dr. Alley’s focuses on medications that treat cancer throughout the body. He may consider a patient’s cancer stage, overall health, and eligibility for clinical trials while deciding the best course of treatment.

Mesothelioma treatment options he might use include:

• Chemotherapy: Uses medications to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth
• Clinical trials: Provide access to promising new treatment options
• Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells
• Targeted therapies: Focus on specific changes within cancer cells when appropriate

Each treatment plan is adjusted as a patient’s needs change. Dr. Alley can also coordinate with other medical oncologists, as well as thoracic surgeons and radiation oncologists, to ensure that patients get multidisciplinary care.

Use our Free Doctor Questions Checklist to get the answers you need about which mesothelioma treatments will be best for you.

Dr. Evan Alley’s Medical Background

Dr. Alley has dedicated his career to advancing medical treatment for mesothelioma and other thoracic cancers.

He serves as Section Head of Thoracic Oncology at Cleveland Clinic Florida. His experience in thoracic oncology, immunotherapy, and clinical research allows him to offer advanced treatment options for patients with mesothelioma.

Dr. Alley’s Work Experience

Dr. Alley has completed advanced training in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology.

His experience includes:

• Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
• Co-Director of the Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Malignancy Program
• Fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
• Residency in Internal Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

This training helped build Dr. Alley’s expertise in treating mesothelioma and other thoracic cancers.

Highlights of Dr. Evan Alley’s Medical Career

Dr. Alley has helped advance medical treatment for mesothelioma through patient care, research, and clinical trials.

Throughout his career, he has:

• Contributed to advances in thoracic oncology and personalized cancer care
• Helped study immunotherapy as a treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma
• Administered clinical trials evaluating new mesothelioma treatments
• Specialized in medical oncology for pleural mesothelioma and other thoracic cancers

His work has helped expand treatment options beyond traditional chemotherapy for patients with mesothelioma.

Dr. Alley’s Accolades

Dr. Alley has also earned recognition from peers in his field for his expertise in medical oncology, thoracic cancers, and clinical research.

His accolades include:

• A 5 out of 5 rating by former Cleveland Clinic patients
• Being selected as a co-director for the “Focus on Centers of Excellence” by the Penn Mesothelioma and Pleural Program
• Consistent inclusion in lists of top doctors for mesothelioma treatment and research

These recognitions reflect Dr. Alley’s experience in mesothelioma care and research

Dr. Evan Alley’s Work on the KEYNOTE-028 Clinical Trial

One of Dr. Alley’s most important contributions to mesothelioma research involved the 2015 KEYNOTE-028 clinical trial.

The study evaluated Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma. Keytruda is an immunotherapy drug that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.

Dr. Alley served as an investigator on the trial and presented early findings. Of the 25 mesothelioma patients who received Keytruda, 28% experienced tumor shrinkage and 48% had no tumor growth.

The research helped:

• Evaluate Keytruda in patients with advanced pleural mesothelioma
• Expand understanding of how the immune system can be used to fight mesothelioma
• Explore immunotherapy as another option beyond traditional chemotherapy
• Provide early evidence supporting continued immunotherapy research
• Study how mesothelioma may respond to checkpoint inhibitors

“The 76% disease control rate in this set of patients previously treated for malignant pleural mesothelioma is very promising and represents a signal of efficacy in the treatment of this disease.”
– Dr. Evan Alley, medical oncologist

Due to positive results of the KEYNOTE-028 trial and other studies, Keytruda was approved for use in treating pleural mesothelioma in September 2024 — giving patients another option that could help them live longer.

Dr. Evan Alley’s Work in Cancer Treatment & Clinical Research

Through his work as a researcher and clinical investigator, Dr. Alley continues to explore new ways to treat mesothelioma and other thoracic cancers.

His clinical research includes:

• Meta-Analysis of Survival and Development of a Prognostic Nomogram for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Treated with Systemic Chemotherapy. Published in Cancers, May 2021.
• Sotorasib as First-Line Treatment for Advanced KRAS G12C-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma: A Case Report. Published in Case Reports in Oncology, March 2023.
• Serum soluble mesothelin-related protein (SMRP) and fibulin-3 levels correlate with baseline malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) tumor volumes but are not useful as biomarkers of response in an immunotherapy trial. Published in Lung Cancer, April 2021.
• Phase 1 cohort expansion study of LY3023414, a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, in patients with advanced mesothelioma. Published in Investigational New Drugs, March 2021.
• CT for detection of malignant posterior intercostal lymph nodes in patients undergoing pre-operative staging for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Published in Lung Cancer, February 2021.
• Impact of KRAS and TP53 Co-Mutations on Outcomes After First-Line Systemic Therapy Among Patients With STK11-Mutated Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Published in JCO Precision Oncology, May 2019.

In particular, several of his studies have helped researchers better understand immunotherapy’s role in mesothelioma care. These studies also support the search for more effective treatments.

We can connect you with top doctors like Dr. Alley so you can get the best treatment plan for your mesothelioma. Use our Free Doctor Match service to get started.

Get Connected With Dr. Evan Alley

Newer treatments have changed the options available to many people with mesothelioma. Finding a specialist who understands these advances can help patients make better-informed decisions about their care.

Dr. Evan Alley is recognized for his expertise in treating pleural mesothelioma, researching immunotherapy, and leading clinical trials. His experience includes both treating patients and researching new therapies.

Use our Free Doctor Match or call (866) 608-8933 to connect with mesothelioma specialists like Dr. Alley, locate treatment centers, and access support resources.