Sally Lau, MD

As a medical oncologist at Perlmutter Cancer Center, I specialize in lung cancer, thoracic cancer, and other lung diseases. I participate in clinical trials that explore new treatments for lung cancer, including targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and cellular therapy. I also have extensive experience in managing lung cancer in nonsmokers, which occurs more often in the Asian population. I am passionate about my clinical work and proud to be part of a team that always puts patient care first.

I continue to be inspired by my patients’ stories of courage and resilience. It is a privilege to be able to offer hope to patients and their families as they go through diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer. Thanks to the development of new therapies, lung cancer is increasingly manageable, even when the disease is at an advanced stage.

I strive to tailor treatment plans for patients by understanding their unique goals and values—whether it is going back to work or traveling to see penguins in Antarctica. As much as possible, I try to maintain my patients’ quality of life, so they can carry on with normal activities. I like to involve families in a patient’s care, knowing that they are a vital part of their wellbeing and treatment.

The field of oncology is advancing rapidly, and in the span of a few decades, we have shifted from conventional chemotherapy to targeted therapy and immunotherapy. As a clinical researcher, I am committed to bringing the newest treatments to our patients through clinical trials. We have a dedicated clinical trials team that provides support to patients throughout their journey.

I have a special research interest in tumor immunology, and the response and resistance to immune therapies. In addition to clinical trials, I work closely with our scientists and immunologists in translational research. Using technologies such as DNA sequencing, we can profile the immune makeup of tumors and design new medications or combine existing medications to boost the effectiveness of treatments. In some research studies, we also use DNA from a simple blood test to understand how a patient responds to therapy in real time. Translating research from the laboratory to the clinic to help patients is one of the most exciting and challenging parts of my job.

I am a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the European Society for Medical Oncology, and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. I have received the Novartis Oncology Young Canadian Investigator Award, the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists’ award for research presentation, and the Canadian Lung Cancer Conference’s Betty Rice Award.