Dr. Laura Alder

About Dr. Laura Alder, Duke Mesothelioma Specialist

Laura Alder, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist who treats mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases that affect the chest.

Since mesothelioma is a rare cancer, treatment typically involves physicians from several specialties. Dr. Alder works closely with thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, and palliative care specialists to develop treatment plans tailored to each patient.

In addition to seeing patients at Duke Cancer Institute in North Carolina, Dr. Alder is actively involved in clinical research. She serves as an investigator on studies testing new therapies for mesothelioma, helping eligible patients access innovative treatments.

Whether someone has been newly diagnosed or is looking for another opinion, her goal is to help patients make more informed decisions about their medical care.

Looking for a mesothelioma specialist? Our Free Doctor Match service can help you connect with Dr. Alder and other experienced physicians based on your diagnosis, treatment goals, and location.

What Health Conditions Does Dr. Laura Alder Treat?

As a medical oncologist, Dr. Alder manages systemic therapies that treat cancer throughout the body. She cares for patients with both newly diagnosed and late-stage disease.

Her areas of expertise include:

• Asbestos-related cancers: Cancers linked to asbestos exposure from 10 to 50 years ago
• Pleural mesothelioma: Rare cancer that develops in the lung lining after asbestos exposure
• Lung cancer: Cancer that begins in the lungs, including early-stage and advanced disease
• Thoracic cancers: Cancers affecting the lungs, chest cavity, and nearby structures
• Other cancers requiring systemic therapy: Cancers treated with medications that travel throughout the body

Patients with these cancers usually see several specialists, and Dr. Alder works closely with the rest of their care team at Duke Cancer Institute to coordinate treatment.

Dr. Laura Alder’s Approach to Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma treatment depends on several factors, including the cell type, the patient’s overall health, and whether their cancer has spread.

Depending on the patient, treatment may include:

• Biomarker testing: Looks for changes in tumors that can help guide treatment decisions
• Chemotherapy: Uses medications to kill mesothelioma and keep it from spreading
• Immunotherapy: Helps the body’s immune system recognize and fight cancer cells
• Targeted therapy: Attacks specific features of cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy cells
• Clinical trials: Give eligible patients access to promising new treatments that are still being studied

She believes patients should understand every aspect of their diagnosis and why a particular treatment is being recommended.

“A lot of times, patients have already been through an awful lot with so many tests, imaging [scans], and biopsies. It’s really important to me that we’re on the same page and they fully understand their diagnosis and treatment options.”
– Dr. Laura Alder, Duke mesothelioma specialist

Download our Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist so you leave your next treatment appointment with all the information you need.

Dr. Laura Alder’s Medical Background

Dr. Laura Alder earned her medical degree through the University of Queensland-Ochsner clinical program in Australia.

She completed her residency in internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University before attending Duke University Medical Center for fellowship training in hematology and medical oncology.

During her fellowship, she focused on thoracic cancers and clinical research, laying the foundation for her work in pleural mesothelioma, lung cancer, and brain tumors. Today, she’s an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine and treats patients at Duke Cancer Institute.

Work Experience

Dr. Alder built her expertise by caring for patients at every stage of her medical training. She now divides her time between patient care, teaching, and research.

Along the way, she has served as:

• Assistant Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine
• Clinical investigator for thoracic oncology clinical trials
• Deputy Medical Director of the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis
• Hematology and medical oncology fellow at Duke University Medical Center
• Internal medicine resident at Virginia Commonwealth University

She also leads research exploring new treatments for thoracic cancers, helping to bring promising therapies from clinical studies into patient care.

Highlights of Dr. Laura Alder’s Medical Career

Throughout her career, Laura Alder has studied advances in cancer treatment while caring for patients, teaching future physicians, and contributing to clinical research.

She regularly works with other doctors to improve thoracic cancer treatment. That collaboration includes developing clinical studies and sharing her research with other oncologists across the country.

Her professional memberships include:

• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• Duke Cancer Institute
• International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)

These roles keep Dr. Alder involved in the conversations shaping thoracic oncology and allow her to exchange ideas with specialists who treat these cancers every day.

Dr. Laura Alder’s Work in Cancer Treatment & Clinical Trials

Clinical trials help doctors learn which treatments work best and who’s most likely to benefit from them. Dr. Alder has taken part in several studies testing new therapies for mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Her research focuses on:

• Expanding access to clinical trials for advanced mesothelioma
• Improving treatment for cancer that’s spread to the brain
• Studying new ways to use immunotherapy drugs to fight cancer
• Testing treatments for cancers with specific genetic changes
• Using tumor testing to match patients with the most appropriate therapy

For some patients, these advances have led to years of remission. Remission means cancer has shrunk or is no longer growing after treatment. While remission isn’t possible for everyone, it shows how far mesothelioma treatment has come.

“I’ve had the privilege of being able to tell the stories of mesothelioma patients who’ve had remission for years, and it’s just so encouraging.”
– Dr. Laura Alder, Duke mesothelioma specialist

Use our Free Doctor Match service to speak with Dr. Alder and other mesothelioma specialists who offer clinical trials.

Dr. Laura Alder’s Mesothelioma Research and Published Works

Dr. Alder has authored and contributed to numerous publications involving thoracic oncology, lung cancer, immunotherapy, and brain metastases.

Some of her notable published articles include:

• Broadening Clinical Trial Inclusivity of Patients With Lung Cancer and Brain Metastases Utilizing the Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA): A Call to Action. Published in Lung Cancer, May 2026.
• Young Lung Cancer: From Diagnosis to Survivorship. Published in Current Problems in Cancer, June 2025.
• Neoadjuvant, Perioperative, and Adjuvant Immunotherapy in Early-Stage Surgically Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Updates and Future Perspectives. Published as an MDPI Preprints manuscript, June 2025.
• Given TKIs With High CNS Penetrance, Systemic Therapy Should Be Administered Before Radiation Therapy for CNS Metastases. Published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology, May 2025.

Her research helps guide future treatment strategies for patients with mesothelioma and other thoracic malignancies.

Get Connected With Dr. Laura Alder

Every mesothelioma diagnosis is different, and so is every treatment plan. Meeting with an experienced specialist can help you better understand your options and decide what comes next.

Whether you’re seeking a second opinion, looking up clinical trials, or getting ready to start treatment, Mesothelioma Hope can help you find a doctor who fits your needs.

Call (866) 608-8933 or use our Free Doctor Match service to connect with Dr. Laura Alder or another experienced specialist.