Department of Research & Evaluation News

Sujatha Murali, MD, MS is a hematologist and medical oncologist in San Diego and currently serves as the Southern California Breast Cancer Lead and Principal Investigator for breast cancer clinical trials within Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Cancer Clinical Trials Access Program. She joined Kaiser Permanente in 2016 after working at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, where she held leadership roles in breast cancer research and served as division chief at Emory Midtown Hospital.

What were the factors that led you into becoming a doctor, and finding your specialty?

Both my parents are physicians. From an early age, I was surrounded by conversations about medicine and science. I was fascinated by the science itself, but equally inspired by the pride my parents took in caring for their patients. By the time I was a teenager, I knew I wanted to become a physician. In medical school, I was drawn to oncology for several reasons: the innovative research, the rapidly evolving landscape, and the meaningful impact oncologists have on their patients’ lives. My parents loved their careers and saw it as a calling which I found incredibly inspiring.

Why was it important as an oncologist to be involved in clinical trials? And why breast cancer?

Oncologists have research and clinical trials in our DNA. We see tangible proof of the success of trials every day in clinical practice. Trials offer patients access to the most innovative therapies while advancing the science that will shape future standards of care. Clinical research is how we move the field forward, improving outcomes and quality of life for patients not just today, but for generations to come.
For me, focusing on breast cancer was a natural choice not only because of the scientific advances happening in this area, but also because of the personal connections I have to the disease. Having seen friends diagnosed at a young age, I felt compelled to dedicate my career to improving treatment options and supporting patients through every stage of their journey.

The Cancer Clinical Trials Access Program has been successful in meeting and exceeding enrollment target for the EMBER-4 study. Can you talk about that clinical trial and your success in enrollment?

We have been thrilled with the success of the EMBER-4 study in Southern California. This important trial focuses on patients with high-risk estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer and explores a potential alternative to aromatase inhibitors, which have been the standard of care for decades. While effective, aromatase inhibitors often cause significant side effects that lead many patients to stop treatment early.
EMBER-4 is evaluating another oral option that appears to be better tolerated, allowing patients to complete their full course of therapy without major impacts on quality of life. While many trials focus primarily on efficacy, it is equally critical to study how treatments affect patients’ daily lives — and that is what makes this trial especially meaningful.
We are one of the top accruing sites in the United States due to the dedication and diligence of our outstanding clinical trials staff, as well as the brave patients who trust us with their care.

What are the most significant changes you have seen over the years doing clinical trials and what are you most excited about for the future?

I have been in practice for nearly 20 years. The first half of my career looks very different from the second half in the best possible way. The advances in cancer care over the past decade have been remarkable; we have made more progress in the last 10 years than in the previous century. Cancers that once carried very limited life expectancy can now often be controlled — and in many cases cured — thanks to new drugs and interventions made possible by the brave patients who enrolled in clinical trials to test their safety and efficacy. Stage IV breast cancer, in particular, has in many cases become a chronic disease, with numerous targeted, non-chemotherapy options that allow patients to live normal lives while receiving treatment. Prognosis has now often become difficult to estimate as patients are living for years with their diagnosis. Today, it is an absolute joy to tell them that even with Stage IV disease, we have many tools to keep their cancer under control.
I am most excited about the ongoing discovery of new drugs that target specific cancer cells, as well as research focused on better risk stratification for early-stage patients when cure is still possible. Equally important is prioritizing quality of life, not just quantity, while on treatment. We have truly entered the era of personalized medicine, where traditional chemotherapy with its significant side effects plays a much smaller role in our treatment arsenal.

While not at work, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I grew up traveling extensively, so exploring the world has always been a family priority. Luckily, my husband and daughter feel the same way! I’m a points and miles enthusiast and have been interviewed on several award travel podcasts. At home, I’m a voracious reader of fiction and biographies from our fantastic local library. We also have 2 goldendoodles who keep us endlessly entertained.

Photo: Dr. Murali zip lining with her husband, Dr. Anand Patel, and daughter, Maya Patel, in Dubrovnik, Croatia