Dr Alex Beesley, Senior Research Officer and Fellow of the Children’s Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation (CLCRF), joined the Institute in 2003. He currently heads a team researching childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and NUT-Midline Carcinoma (NMC).

Their research involves identifying the molecular causes of cancer and the mechanisms that lead to drug resistance and relapse. Their achievements will ultimately lead to new forms of treatment for patients suffering with leukaemia and carcinoma.

 

 

J29    Beesley AH, Rampellini JL, Palmer ML, Heng JYS, Samuels AL, Firth MJ, Ford J, Kees UR (2010). Influence of wildtype MLL on glucocorticoid sensitivity and response to DNA-damage in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Molecular Cancer 9:284.

J28    Samuels AL, Beesley AH, Papa R, O’Driscoll V, Firth MJ, Francis R, Lock RB, Kees UR (2010). Validation of a mouse xenograft model system for the gene expression analysis of engrafted human acute lymphoblastic leukemia. BMC Genomics 11:256.

J27    Cleaver AL*, Beesley AH*, Firth MJ, Sturges NC, O’Leary RA, Hunger SP, Baker DL, Kees UR (2010). Gene-based outcome prediction in multiple cohorts of pediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A Children’s Oncology Group Study. Molecular Cancer 9:105 [*Joint first-authorship].

J26    Beesley AH, Firth MJ, Ford J, Weller RE, Freitas JR, Perera KU, Kees UR (2009). Glucocorticoid resistance in T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is associated with a proliferative metabolism. Br J Cancer 100:1926-36.

J25    Beesley AH, Weller RE, Senanayake S, Welch M, Kees UR (2009). Receptor mutation is not a common mechanism of naturally occurring glucocorticoid resistance in leukaemia cell lines. Leuk Res 33: 321-5.

J24    Beesley AH, Weller RE, Kees UR (2008). The role of BSG (CD147) in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and relapse. Br J Haematol 142:1000-2.

J23    Henderson MJ, Choi S, Beesley AH, Sutton R, Marshall GM, Kees UR, Haber M, Norris MD (2008). Mechanism of Relapse in Paediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Cell Cycle 7:1315-20.

J22    Henderson MJ, Choi S, Beesley AH, Baker DL, Wright D, Papa RA, Murch A, Campbell LJ, Lock RB, Norris MD, Haber M, Kees UR (2008). A xenograft model of infant leukaemia reveals a complex MLL translocation. Br J Haematol 140: 712–27.

J21    Hoffmann K, Firth MJ, Beesley AH, Freitas JR, Ford J, Senanayake S, de Klerk NH, Baker DL, Kees UR (2008). Prediction of relapse in paediatric pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia using a three-gene risk index. Br J Haematol 140: 656–64.

J20    Boag JM, Beesley AH, Firth MJ, Freitas JR, Ford J, Brigstock DR, de Klerk NH, Kees UR (2007). High expression of connective tissue growth factor in pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Br J Haematol 138:740-8.

J19    Gottardo NG, Hoffmann K, Beesley AH, Freitas JR, Firth MJ, Perera KU, de Klerk NH, Baker DL and Kees UR (2007). Identification of novel molecular prognostic markers for paediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Br J Haematol 137:319-28.

J18    Choi S, Henderson MJ, Kwan E, Beesley AH, Sutton R, Bahar AY, Giles J, Venn NC, Pozza LD, Baker DL, Marshall GM, Kees UR, Haber M, Norris MD (2007). Relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia involving selection of a pre-existing drug resistant sub-clone. Blood 110:632-9.

J17    Beesley AH, M-L Palmer, J Ford, RE Weller, AJ Cummings, JR Freitas, MJ Firth, KU Perera, deKlerk NH, Kees UR (2007). In vitro cytotoxicity of nelarabine, clofarabine, and flavopiridol in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Br J Haematol 137:109-116.

J16    Beesley AH, M-L Palmer, J Ford, RE Weller, Cummings AJ, Freitas JR, Firth MJ, Perera KU, de Klerk NH, Kees UR (2006). Authenticity and drug resistance in a panel of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cell lines. Br J Cancer 95:1537-44.

J15    Boag JM, Beesley AH, Hoffmann K, Cummings AJ, de Klerk NH, Firth MJ, Ford J, Freitas JR, Kees UR (2006). Altered glucose metabolism in childhood pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Leukemia 20:1731-7.

J14    Hoffmann K, Firth MJ, Beesley AH, de Klerk NH, Kees UR (2006). Translating microarray data for diagnostic testing in childhood leukaemia. BMC Cancer 6:229-39.

J13    Beesley AH, Cummings AJ, Freitas JR, Hoffmann K, Firth MJ, Ford J, deKlerk NH, Kees UR (2005). Gene expression signature of relapse in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: implications for mechanisms of therapy failure. Br J Haematol 131: 447-56.

J12    Dallas P, Gottardo NG, Firth MJ, Beesley AH, Hoffmann K, Terry PA, Freitas JR, Boag JM, Cummings AJ, Kees UR (2005). Gene expression levels assessed by oligonucleotide microarray analysis and quantitative real-time RT-PCR - how well do they correlate? BMC Genomics 6:59.

J11    Kunzelmann K, Beesley AH, King NJ, Karupiah G, Young JA & Cook DI (2000). Influenza virus inhibits amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels in respiratory epithelia. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 97:10282-7.

J10    Ortega B, Beesley AH, Hornby D & White SJ (2000). Tracing the origin of the RACTK1 K+ channel. Biochem Biophys Res Comm 277: 147-151.

J9    Ortega B, Millar ID, Beesley AH, Robson L & White SJ (2000). Stable, polarised, functional expression of Kir1.1b channel protein in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cell line. J Physiol 528: 5-13.

J8    Beesley AH, Qureshi IZ, Giesberts AN, Parker AJ & White SJ (1999). Expression of sulphonylurea receptor protein in mouse kidney. Pflugers Arch 438: 1-7.

J7    Beesley AH, Ortega B & White SJ (1999). Splicing of a retained intron within ROMK K+ channel RNA generates a novel set of isoforms in rat kidney. Am J Physiol 276: C585-C592.

J6    Beesley AH, Hornby D & White SJ (1998). Regulation of distal nephron K+ channels (ROMK) mRNA expression by aldosterone in rat kidney. J Physiol 509.3: 629-634.

J5    Beesley AH, Hardcastle J, Hardcastle PT & Taylor CJ (1997). Chloride conductance and sodium-dependent glucose transport in rat and human enterocytes. Gastroenterology 112: 1213-1220.

J4    Beesley AH, Hardcastle J, Hardcastle PT & Taylor CJ (1997). Potassium and sodium dependent glucose transport: implications for cystic fibrosis. Arch Dis Child 76: 478.

J3      Beesley AH, Hardcastle J, Hardcastle PT & Taylor CJ (1996). Sodium/glucose co-transporter activity in cystic fibrosis. Arch Dis Child 75: 170.

J2    Beesley A, Hardcastle J, Hardcastle PT & Taylor CJ (1996).  Influence of peppermint oil on absorptive and secretory processes in rat small intestine. Gut 39: 214-219.

J1    Beesley A & Levin RJ (1991). 5-Hydroxytryptamine induces electrogenic secretion and simultaneously activates a modulating inhibitory neural circuit in rat small intestine in vitro. Exp Physiol 76, 607-610.