MD
Lineberger Professor of Cancer Research
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Cell Biology, Breast Cancer
Area of Interest
My laboratory studies signal transduction in normal and neoplastic cells to determine new therapeutic options for a range of cancers including breast, lung, pancreatic, and prostate, as well as leukemias and melanoma.
We have studied members of the EGF Receptor family for almost 40 years and identified several other tyrosine kinases including MerTK, a kinase that we are studying in the innate immune system as a target that leads to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The lab has constructed a number of novel mouse models including fl/fl mertk, and tyro3 mice using CRISPR. These have been bred with Tamoxifen reducible Rosa cre mice to test postnatal deletion as well as mice with targeted deletion in the endothelial, myeloid, dendritic cell compartments. These have been used to test multiple syngeneic models.
To inhibit the action of MerTK, we have teamed with UNC Lineberger’s Stephen Frye, PhD, to create small molecule MerTK inhibitors that can reverse immunosuppression and enhance immunotherapy. This collaboration has resulted in a UNC start-up company, Meryx, Inc, which now has advanced a candidate to an FDA approved Phase 1 clinical trial in solid tumor patients at UNC and Emory. Trials in AML and Osimertinib resistant lung cancer patients have been initiated.
Awards and Honors
- O. Max Gardner Award, UNC System, 2023
- Hyman L. Battle Distinguished Cancer Research Award, UNC, 2016
- UNC Inventor of the Year Award, UNC Office of Commercialization & Economic Development, 2016
- Distinguished Service Medal, UNC General Alumni Association, 2015
- Faculty Service Award, UNC General Alumni Association, 2009
- Thomas Jefferson Award, UNC, 2008
- Berryhill Lecturer, UNC School of Medicine, 2007
- AACI President, Association of American Cancer Institutes, 2005-2007
- AACI President-Elect, Association of American Cancer Institutes, 2003-2005
- AACI Board of Directors, Association of American Cancer Institutes, 2001-2009
- Director Endocrine Course “Best Course Award”, UNC, 1985, 1987, 1989
News and Stories
Scientific retreat highlights the depth and breadth of cancer center research
The annual scientific retreat featured scientific presentations, a state of the cancer center overview from UNC Lineberger Director Shelley Earp, MD, and a talk on the cancer center’s future direction by incoming UNC Lineberger Executive Director Robert Ferris, MD, PhD.
Earp named chair of NCI Board of Scientific Advisors
UNC Lineberger Director Shelley Earp, MD, has been appointed chair of the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors. The board advises the NCI director and program leaders on research priorities.
