Douglas K. Graham, MD, PhD

Research Program

Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics

Biography

Douglas K. Graham, MD, PhD, is the chief and William G. Woods, MD Chair of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Graham also serves as chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT. Board certified in pediatric hematology/oncology, his clinical focus is in pediatric leukemia.

Prior to joining the Aflac Cancer Center, Dr. Graham previously served as professor of pediatrics and immunology at the University of Colorado, with clinical practice at Children's Hospital Colorado. While there, Dr. Graham led the Biology and Treatment of Childhood Cancer Research Emphasis Area for the hospital. He directly oversaw all basic science, translational and clinical oncology research for the hospital.

Dr. Graham is a National Institutes of Health-funded investigator with an active laboratory focusing on developing novel therapeutics for pediatric cancer, recently validating MerTK as a novel cancer agent in leukemia, melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer and glioblastoma. He was the co-program leader of the Hematologic Malignancy Program at the University of Colorado, a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.

Dr. Graham is a member of the Children's Oncology Group, COG Acute Myeloid Leukemia Disease Committee and the NIH Molecular and Cellular Hematology Study Section. He also holds memberships with American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Society for Cancer Research, American Society for Clinical Investigation, Society for Pediatric Research and American Academy of Pediatrics.

Education

Dr. Graham received his Medical Degree as well as his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, NC. He completed his residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at University of Colorado at Denver.

Titles & Roles

Chief and William G. Woods, M.D. Chair

Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
Professor, Department of Pediatrics

Emory University School of Medicine
Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT

Emory University School of Medicine

Research

Dr. Graham's lab is actively conducting research studying tyrosine kinase signaling pathways in cancer. In particular, his lab studies the Mer and Axl pathways in pediatric leukemia and pediatric brain cancer. They also study the role of these pathways in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. His laboratory is working to develop novel inhibitors of these pathways to hopefully move forward into clinical trials in the near future.

Grants

View Grants

Grant Number	Title
1R01CA259077-01	Novel TYRO3 inhibitors for treatment of cancer
1R01CA259077-01	Novel TYRO3 inhibitors for treatment of cancer
5R01CA259077-02	Novel TYRO3 inhibitors for treatment of cancer
5R01CA259077-03	Novel TYRO3 inhibitors for treatment of cancer
5R01CA259077-04	Novel TYRO3 inhibitors for treatment of cancer

Publications

View Recent Publications

Title/Journal	Authors	Publication Date
Exploiting structural variability in the kinase back-pocket to modulate polypharmacology of TAM inhibitors. European journal of medicinal chemistry	MD Hopkins, D Zhang, Z Chen, AL McIver, JM Huelse, JP Mahajan, K Lyu, X Yang, MA Stashko, B Smith, TY Yeung, HS Earp, SV Frye, D DeRyckere, D Kireev, DK Graham, X Wang	06/05/2025
Identification of leukemia-enriched signature through the development of a comprehensive pediatric single-cell atlas. Nature communications	HL Mumme, C Huang, D Ohlstrom, M Bakhtiari, SS Raikar, D DeRyckere, M Qayed, SM Castellino, DS Wechsler, CC Porter, DK Graham, SS Bhasin, M Bhasin	05/02/2025
Discovery of Novel TYRO3/MERTK Dual Inhibitors. Journal of medicinal chemistry	D Kong, J Zhao, D Huang, MA Stashko, D Yan, R Ding, SKR Guduru, Y Zhou, CE Kania, H Shelton Earp, SV Frye, JM Huelse, D Kireev, D DeRyckere, DK Graham, X Wang	04/24/2025
UNC9426, a Potent and Orally Bioavailable TYRO3-Specific Inhibitor. Journal of medicinal chemistry	D Kong, X Yang, S Judd, D Yan, S Springborn, MA Stashko, A Kidwell, JM Huelse, D Kireev, DK Graham, D DeRyckere, B Branchford, X Wang	03/27/2025
MERTK inhibition selectively activates a DC - T-cell axis to provide anti-leukemia immunity. Leukemia	JM Huelse, SS Bhasin, KM Jacobsen, J Yim, BE Thomas, GM Branella, M Bakhtiari, ML Chimenti, TA Baxter, SS Raikar, X Wang, SV Frye, CJ Henry, HS Earp, M Bhasin, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	12/01/2024
MERTK Is a Potential Therapeutic Target in Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers	SK Smart, TY Yeung, MO Santos, LF McSwain, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	08/12/2024
MERTK Inhibition as a Targeted Novel Cancer Therapy. International journal of molecular sciences	KM Tanim, A Holtzhausen, A Thapa, JM Huelse, DK Graham, HS Earp	07/12/2024
Discovery of Novel Macrocyclic MERTK/AXL Dual Inhibitors. Journal of medicinal chemistry	D Kong, Q Tian, Z Chen, H Zheng, MA Stashko, D Yan, HS Earp, SV Frye, D DeRyckere, D Kireev, DK Graham, X Wang	04/11/2024
TAM family kinases as therapeutic targets at the interface of cancer and immunity. Nature reviews. Clinical oncology	D DeRyckere, JM Huelse, HS Earp, DK Graham	11/01/2023
Single-cell RNA sequencing distinctly characterizes the wide heterogeneity in pediatric mixed phenotype acute leukemia. Genome medicine	HL Mumme, SS Raikar, SS Bhasin, BE Thomas, T Lawrence, EP Weinzierl, Y Pang, D DeRyckere, C Gawad, DS Wechsler, CC Porter, SM Castellino, DK Graham, M Bhasin	10/16/2023
Single-cell analysis reveals altered tumor microenvironments of relapse- and remission-associated pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. Nature communications	H Mumme, BE Thomas, SS Bhasin, U Krishnan, B Dwivedi, P Perumalla, D Sarkar, GB Ulukaya, HS Sabnis, SI Park, D DeRyckere, SS Raikar, M Pauly, RJ Summers, SM Castellino, DS Wechsler, CC Porter, DK Graham, M Bhasin	10/05/2023
Development of constitutively synergistic nanoformulations to enhance chemosensitivity in T-cell leukemia. Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society	JM Kelvin, ML Chimenti, DY Zhang, EK Williams, SG Moore, GM Humber, TA Baxter, LA Birnbaum, M Qui, H Zecca, A Thapa, J Jain, NT Jui, X Wang, H Fu, Y Du, ML Kemp, WA Lam, DK Graham, D DeRyckere, EC Dreaden	09/01/2023
Constitutively Synergistic Multiagent Drug Formulations Targeting MERTK, FLT3, and BCL-2 for Treatment of AML. Pharmaceutical research	JM Kelvin, J Jain, A Thapa, M Qui, LA Birnbaum, SG Moore, H Zecca, RJ Summers, JM Switchenko, E Costanza, B Uricoli, X Wang, NT Jui, H Fu, Y Du, D DeRyckere, DK Graham, EC Dreaden	09/01/2023
Pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia blast signature and MRD associated immune environment changes defined by single cell transcriptomics analysis. Scientific reports	SS Bhasin, BE Thomas, RJ Summers, D Sarkar, H Mumme, W Pilcher, M Emam, SS Raikar, SI Park, SM Castellino, DK Graham, MK Bhasin, D DeRyckere	08/02/2023
Constitutively synergistic multiagent drug formulations targeting MERTK, FLT3, and BCL-2 for treatment of AML. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology	JM Kelvin, J Jain, A Thapa, M Qui, LA Birnbaum, SG Moore, H Zecca, RJ Summers, E Costanza, B Uricoli, X Wang, NT Jui, H Fu, Y Du, D DeRyckere, DK Graham, EC Dreaden	03/15/2023
Inhibiting efferocytosis reverses macrophage-mediated immunosuppression in the leukemia microenvironment. Frontiers in immunology	J Cruz Cruz, KC Allison, LS Page, AJ Jenkins, X Wang, HS Earp, SV Frye, DK Graham, MR Verneris, AB Lee-Sherick	01/01/2023
In vitro vascular differentiation system efficiently produces natural killer cells for cancer immunotherapies. Oncoimmunology	Y Galat, Y Du, M Perepitchka, XN Li, IV Balyasnikova, WT Tse, S Dambaeva, S Schneiderman, PM Iannaccone, O Becher, DK Graham, V Galat	01/01/2023
Therapeutic Targeting of MERTK and BCL-2 in T-Cell and Early T-Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancers	RJ Summers, J Jain, E Vasileiadi, B Smith, ML Chimenti, TY Yeung, J Kelvin, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, JW Tyner, EC Dreaden, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	12/13/2022
MERTK activation drives osimertinib resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. The Journal of clinical investigation	D Yan, JM Huelse, D Kireev, Z Tan, L Chen, S Goyal, X Wang, SV Frye, M Behera, F Schneider, SS Ramalingam, T Owonikoko, HS Earp, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	08/01/2022
Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of High-Risk Pediatric Cancer Patients Has a Measurable Impact on Clinical Care. JCO precision oncology	RJ Summers, SM Castellino, CC Porter, TJ MacDonald, GD Basu, S Szelinger, MK Bhasin, T Cash, AB Carter, RC Castellino, JR Fangusaro, SG Mitchell, MG Pauly, B Pencheva, DS Wechsler, DK Graham, KC Goldsmith	04/01/2022
Obesity-induced galectin-9 is a therapeutic target in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Nature communications	M Lee, JAG Hamilton, GR Talekar, AJ Ross, L Michael, M Rupji, B Dwivedi, SS Raikar, J Boss, CD Scharer, DK Graham, D DeRyckere, CC Porter, CJ Henry	03/03/2022
Synthetic Matrix Scaffolds Engineer the In Vivo Tumor Immune Microenvironment for Immunotherapy Screening. Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)	MJ O'Melia, A Mulero-Russe, J Kim, A Pybus, D DeRyckere, L Wood, DK Graham, E Botchwey, AJ García, SN Thomas	03/01/2022
Targeting MERTK and AXL in EGFR Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers	D Yan, HS Earp, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	11/11/2021
Corrigendum to "MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system" [Pharmacology & Therapeutics 213 (2020) 107577]. Pharmacology & therapeutics	JM Huelse, DM Fridlyand, S Earp, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	09/01/2021
UNC5293, a potent, orally available and highly MERTK-selective inhibitor. European journal of medicinal chemistry	H Zheng, J Zhao, B Li, W Zhang, MA Stashko, KA Minson, MG Huey, Y Zhou, HS Earp, D Kireev, DK Graham, D DeRyckere, SV Frye, X Wang	08/05/2021
MERTK inhibition alters the PD-1 axis and promotes anti-leukemia immunity. JCI insight	AB Lee-Sherick, KM Jacobsen, CJ Henry, MG Huey, RE Parker, LS Page, AA Hill, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, CT Jordan, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	12/03/2020
MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacology & therapeutics	JM Huelse, DM Fridlyand, S Earp, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	09/01/2020
BPTF regulates growth of adult and pediatric high-grade glioma through the MYC pathway. Oncogene	AL Green, J DeSisto, P Flannery, R Lemma, A Knox, M Lemieux, B Sanford, R O'Rourke, S Ramkissoon, K Jones, J Perry, X Hui, E Moroze, I Balakrishnan, AF O'Neill, K Dunn, D DeRyckere, E Danis, A Safadi, A Gilani, B Hubbell-Engler, Z Nuss, JMM Levy, N Serkova, S Venkataraman, DK Graham, N Foreman, K Ligon, K Jones, AL Kung, R Vibhakar	03/01/2020
Correction: BPTF regulates growth of adult and pediatric high-grade glioma through the MYC pathway. Oncogene	AL Green, J DeSisto, P Flannery, R Lemma, A Knox, M Lemieux, B Sanford, R O'Rourke, S Ramkissoon, K Jones, J Perry, X Hui, E Moroze, I Balakrishnan, AF O'Neill, K Dunn, D DeRyckere, E Danis, A Safadi, A Gilani, B Hubbell-Engler, Z Nuss, JMM Levy, N Serkova, S Venkataraman, DK Graham, N Foreman, K Ligon, K Jones, AL Kung, R Vibhakar	03/01/2020
Data-Driven Construction of Antitumor Agents with Controlled Polypharmacology. Journal of the American Chemical Society	C Da, D Zhang, M Stashko, E Vasileiadi, RE Parker, KA Minson, MG Huey, JM Huelse, D Hunter, TSK Gilbert, J Norris-Drouin, M Miley, LE Herring, LM Graves, D DeRyckere, HS Earp, DK Graham, SV Frye, X Wang, D Kireev	10/02/2019
TAM Family Receptor Kinase Inhibition Reverses MDSC-Mediated Suppression and Augments Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Melanoma. Cancer immunology research	A Holtzhausen, W Harris, E Ubil, DM Hunter, J Zhao, Y Zhang, D Zhang, Q Liu, X Wang, DK Graham, SV Frye, HS Earp	10/01/2019
Critical role of ASCT2-mediated amino acid metabolism in promoting leukaemia development and progression. Nature metabolism	F Ni, WM Yu, Z Li, DK Graham, L Jin, S Kang, MR Rossi, S Li, HE Broxmeyer, CK Qu	03/01/2019
Inhibition of MERTK Promotes Suppression of Tumor Growth in BRAF Mutant and BRAF Wild-Type Melanoma. Molecular cancer therapeutics	L Sinik, KA Minson, JJ Tentler, J Carrico, SM Bagby, WA Robinson, R Kami, T Burstyn-Cohen, SG Eckhardt, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	02/01/2019
MERTK Promotes Resistance to Irreversible EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Non-small Cell Lung Cancers Expressing Wild-type EGFR Family Members. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research	D Yan, RE Parker, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	12/15/2018
The Emerging Role of TYRO3 as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. Cancers	SK Smart, E Vasileiadi, X Wang, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	11/29/2018
Highly Selective MERTK Inhibitors Achieved by a Single Methyl Group. Journal of medicinal chemistry	J Zhao, D Zhang, W Zhang, MA Stashko, D DeRyckere, E Vasileiadi, RE Parker, D Hunter, Q Liu, Y Zhang, J Norris-Drouin, B Li, DH Drewry, D Kireev, DK Graham, HS Earp, SV Frye, X Wang	11/21/2018
MERTK inhibition alters the PD-1 axis and promotes anti-leukemia immunity. JCI insight	AB Lee-Sherick, KM Jacobsen, CJ Henry, MG Huey, RE Parker, LS Page, AA Hill, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, CT Jordan, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	11/02/2018
MERTK Mediates Intrinsic and Adaptive Resistance to AXL-targeting Agents. Molecular cancer therapeutics	NK McDaniel, CT Cummings, M Iida, J Hülse, HE Pearson, E Vasileiadi, RE Parker, RA Orbuch, OJ Ondracek, NB Welke, GH Kang, KD Davies, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, PM Harari, RJ Kimple, D DeRyckere, DK Graham, DL Wheeler	11/01/2018
The small-molecule MERTK inhibitor UNC2025 decreases platelet activation and prevents thrombosis. Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH	BR Branchford, TJ Stalker, L Law, G Acevedo, S Sather, C Brzezinski, KM Wilson, K Minson, AB Lee-Sherick, P Davizon-Castillo, C Ng, W Zhang, KB Neeves, SR Lentz, X Wang, SV Frye, H Shelton Earp, D DeRyckere, LF Brass, DK Graham, JA Di Paola	02/01/2018
GAS6/TAM Pathway Signaling in Hemostasis and Thrombosis. Frontiers in medicine	LA Law, DK Graham, J Di Paola, BR Branchford	01/01/2018
UNC2025, a MERTK Small-Molecule Inhibitor, Is Therapeutically Effective Alone and in Combination with Methotrexate in Leukemia Models. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research	D DeRyckere, AB Lee-Sherick, MG Huey, AA Hill, JW Tyner, KM Jacobsen, LS Page, GG Kirkpatrick, F Eryildiz, SA Montgomery, W Zhang, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, DK Graham	03/15/2017
Discovery of Macrocyclic Pyrimidines as MerTK-Specific Inhibitors. ChemMedChem	AL McIver, W Zhang, Q Liu, X Jiang, MA Stashko, J Nichols, MJ Miley, J Norris-Drouin, M Machius, D DeRyckere, E Wood, DK Graham, HS Earp, D Kireev, SV Frye, X Wang	02/03/2017
The Current State of FLT3 Inhibition in Acute Myeloid Leukemia - Pitfalls and Promises. Journal of cell signaling	KA Minson, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	01/01/2017
Design and Synthesis of Novel Macrocyclic Mer Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. ACS medicinal chemistry letters	X Wang, J Liu, W Zhang, MA Stashko, J Nichols, MJ Miley, J Norris-Drouin, Z Chen, M Machius, D DeRyckere, E Wood, DK Graham, HS Earp, D Kireev, SV Frye	12/08/2016
Targeting the TAM Receptors in Leukemia. Cancers	MG Huey, KA Minson, HS Earp, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	11/08/2016
The MERTK/FLT3 inhibitor MRX-2843 overcomes resistance-conferring FLT3 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia. JCI insight	KA Minson, CC Smith, D DeRyckere, C Libbrecht, AB Lee-Sherick, MG Huey, EA Lasater, GD Kirkpatrick, MA Stashko, W Zhang, CT Jordan, D Kireev, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, NP Shah, DK Graham	03/01/2016
MERTK Inhibition Induces Polyploidy and Promotes Cell Death and Cellular Senescence in Glioblastoma Multiforme. PloS one	A Sufit, AB Lee-Sherick, D DeRyckere, M Rupji, B Dwivedi, M Varella-Garcia, AM Pierce, J Kowalski, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, AK Keating, DK Graham	01/01/2016
Small Molecule Inhibition of MERTK Is Efficacious in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Models Independent of Driver Oncogene Status. Molecular cancer therapeutics	CT Cummings, W Zhang, KD Davies, GD Kirkpatrick, D Zhang, D DeRyckere, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, DK Graham	09/01/2015
Efficacy of a Mer and Flt3 tyrosine kinase small molecule inhibitor, UNC1666, in acute myeloid leukemia. Oncotarget	AB Lee-Sherick, W Zhang, KK Menachof, AA Hill, S Rinella, G Kirkpatrick, LS Page, MA Stashko, CT Jordan, Q Wei, J Liu, D Zhang, D DeRyckere, X Wang, S Frye, HS Earp, DK Graham	03/30/2015
Tyrosine kinase inhibition in leukemia induces an altered metabolic state sensitive to mitochondrial perturbations. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research	F Alvarez-Calderon, MA Gregory, C Pham-Danis, D DeRyckere, BM Stevens, V Zaberezhnyy, AA Hill, L Gemta, A Kumar, V Kumar, MF Wempe, DA Pollyea, CT Jordan, NJ Serkova, DK Graham, J DeGregori	03/15/2015
The TAM family: phosphatidylserine sensing receptor tyrosine kinases gone awry in cancer. Nature reviews. Cancer	DK Graham, D DeRyckere, KD Davies, HS Earp	12/01/2014
Mer590, a novel monoclonal antibody targeting MER receptor tyrosine kinase, decreases colony formation and increases chemosensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget	CT Cummings, RM Linger, RA Cohen, S Sather, GD Kirkpatrick, KD Davies, D DeRyckere, HS Earp, DK Graham	11/15/2014
UNC2025, a potent and orally bioavailable MER/FLT3 dual inhibitor. Journal of medicinal chemistry	W Zhang, D DeRyckere, D Hunter, J Liu, MA Stashko, KA Minson, CT Cummings, M Lee, TG Glaros, DL Newton, S Sather, D Zhang, D Kireev, WP Janzen, HS Earp, DK Graham, SV Frye, X Wang	08/28/2014
UNC569, a novel small-molecule mer inhibitor with efficacy against acute lymphoblastic leukemia in vitro and in vivo. Molecular cancer therapeutics	S Christoph, D Deryckere, J Schlegel, JK Frazer, LA Batchelor, AY Trakhimets, S Sather, DM Hunter, CT Cummings, J Liu, C Yang, D Kireev, C Simpson, J Norris-Drouin, EA Hull-Ryde, WP Janzen, GL Johnson, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, DK Graham	11/01/2013
Pre-clinical evaluation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for treatment of acute leukemia. Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE	S Christoph, AB Lee-Sherick, S Sather, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	09/18/2013
MERTK receptor tyrosine kinase is a therapeutic target in melanoma. The Journal of clinical investigation	J Schlegel, MJ Sambade, S Sather, SJ Moschos, AC Tan, A Winges, D DeRyckere, CC Carson, DG Trembath, JJ Tentler, SG Eckhardt, PF Kuan, RL Hamilton, LM Duncan, CR Miller, N Nikolaishvili-Feinberg, BR Midkiff, J Liu, W Zhang, C Yang, X Wang, SV Frye, HS Earp, JM Shields, DK Graham	05/01/2013
Discovery of Novel Small Molecule Mer Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. ACS medicinal chemistry letters	J Liu, C Yang, C Simpson, D Deryckere, A Van Deusen, MJ Miley, D Kireev, J Norris-Drouin, S Sather, D Hunter, VK Korboukh, HS Patel, WP Janzen, M Machius, GL Johnson, HS Earp, DK Graham, SV Frye, X Wang	02/09/2012
Prolonged exposure to a Mer ligand in leukemia: Gas6 favors expression of a partial Mer glycoform and reveals a novel role for Mer in the nucleus. PloS one	J Migdall-Wilson, C Bates, J Schlegel, L Brandão, RM Linger, D DeRyckere, DK Graham	01/01/2012